Climate change is making water security increasingly fragile, even in regions that were once considered stable and water-secure. Rising droughts, soil degradation and wildfire risks are exposing the limits of traditional water management approaches that rely mainly on engineered infrastructure such as dams, canals, reservoirs and pumping systems. The article argues that true water security begins much earlier in the landscape itself, with the natural ability of ecosystems to absorb, store and slowly release water. In this context, peatlands are presented as one of the most important yet often overlooked forms of natural water infrastructure because they help regulate groundwater, reduce flood and drought risks, and strengthen overall climate resilience.
Peatlands play a critical role in maintaining healthy water systems, but historically they have often been treated as land to be drained rather than protected. In Ukraine, these ecosystems have long been undervalued and are frequently seen as unproductive or inconvenient areas rather than vital environmental assets. A recent workshop for water-management professionals, jointly organised by UNDP in Ukraine and the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture with support from the Global Environment Facility, focused on changing this perspective. The discussion highlighted the importance of peatlands in water regulation, risk reduction and sustainable land use, especially as Ukraine seeks more climate-resilient development strategies.
The article explains that Ukraine’s peatlands are deeply important for both environmental stability and community well-being. During the second half of the twentieth century, especially from the 1960s to the 1990s, large areas of peatlands were drained under land-reclamation policies designed to expand agricultural land and extract peat. This widespread drainage has left a lasting legacy of degraded peatlands and disrupted water systems. What was once considered economic development is now recognised as a major contributor to environmental instability, water loss and increased vulnerability to climate extremes.
Peatlands are described as powerful natural climate infrastructure because they store enormous amounts of carbon while also regulating water. Although they cover less than 3 percent of the Earth’s land surface, they store nearly twice as much carbon as all the world’s forests combined. When peatlands remain water-saturated, they act as long-term carbon sinks, but when they are drained, the peat begins to decompose and release large quantities of greenhouse gases. The article notes that degraded peat soils can emit 30 to 40 tonnes of CO₂-equivalent per hectare each year, turning them from a climate asset into a long-term source of emissions.
For Ukraine, this issue is especially significant because peatlands are a major part of the country’s natural capital. Before large-scale drainage, peatlands covered around 3 million hectares, but nearly one-third of these areas have since been drained. As a result, the management of peatlands is now directly linked to Ukraine’s ability to meet its climate commitments and strengthen adaptation efforts. The article stresses that protecting peatlands is no longer just an environmental concern, but a strategic issue for national climate and water policy.
Beyond carbon storage, peatlands also provide a crucial water-regulating function. Their unique soil structure allows them to absorb large volumes of water during heavy rainfall and release it gradually during dry periods. This helps maintain groundwater and surface water levels, reduce seasonal fluctuations, and lower the risks of floods, droughts and fires. When peatlands degrade, this buffering function is lost, causing water to drain too quickly from the landscape. As a result, rivers and wells can dry up, farmland becomes more exposed to drought, and communities face water shortages, crop losses and higher costs linked to land degradation and emergency response.
The article also highlights peat fires as a visible and dangerous symptom of disrupted water regimes. Although these fires are often seen as natural disasters, they are usually the direct result of drained peat soils. Dry peat can ignite easily and smoulder underground for long periods, making fires difficult to control and causing severe air pollution. In Ukraine, peat fires have become a recurring issue, including around Kyiv Oblast, where they regularly contribute to smog and poor air quality. The article points to the 2020 fires in Zhytomyr Oblast as an example of the large-scale damage caused by fires in drained peatlands, reinforcing the idea that restoring peatlands is one of the most effective ways to reduce fire risk and the associated environmental, social and economic losses.
Importantly, restoring peatlands does not mean abandoning economic use of the land. Instead, the article promotes a transition to sustainable land-use models that align with the “wise use” principle of the Ramsar Convention. One of the main solutions discussed is paludiculture, which involves cultivating crops on wet or rewetted peatlands without draining them. This can include reeds, cattails, sedges, sphagnum mosses and other water-adapted plants, as well as harvesting wild berries, mushrooms and medicinal plants. Such approaches allow communities to maintain the peat layer, preserve water and carbon storage, reduce fire risk, and still generate biomass, fodder and other useful products.
Another sustainable model is extensive livestock farming on wet meadows, which reflects traditional land use in wetland areas. This practice helps prevent overgrowth by shrubs and trees, supports biodiversity and allows communities to continue using these lands without damaging the ecosystem. The article also notes that wetlands and peatlands can support ecotourism and recreation through eco-trails, nature parks and birdwatching areas, creating opportunities for local guides, guesthouses and small businesses. These alternatives show that peatland restoration can deliver both environmental protection and real economic benefits, including jobs and additional income for local communities.
The article gives the example of Lutsk’s Hnidav Bog, where authorities chose to preserve a wetland within the city rather than drain it for development. Instead of destroying its natural functions, the bog was integrated into the urban landscape as a recreational area. This example is presented as a model for balancing environmental conservation with community needs, showing that wetlands can be an asset even in urban settings when approached thoughtfully.
Peatlands are also becoming a more prominent policy issue because of Ukraine’s international obligations. As wetlands, they fall under the Ramsar Convention, which Ukraine joined in 1976 and which requires the country to protect and wisely use wetland ecosystems. In addition, the European Union’s Nature Restoration Regulation requires the restoration of drained peatlands on agricultural land, setting specific targets for 2030, 2040 and 2050. As a candidate for EU membership, Ukraine is expected to gradually align its environmental policies with these standards, making peatland restoration part of its broader European integration and climate policy agenda.
To support this shift, Ukraine is developing a clearer legal framework for peatland use. In January 2026, the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture released for public consultation a draft Cabinet resolution on the legal regime for peatlands and possible land-use categories. Developed with support from UNDP in Ukraine and the Global Environment Facility, the proposed resolution aims to set rules that prevent the destruction of peatlands’ ecosystem functions and avoid increased greenhouse gas emissions. Future decisions about land allocation, land designation changes or other uses would need to consider the risks of degradation and the loss of water- and climate-regulating functions.
The draft resolution does not change current land designations or restrict existing economic activities, but it would apply to future land-management decisions. It prioritises land uses that preserve the peat layer and natural water regime, such as conservation areas, forestry lands and wetlands, while allowing exceptions for national security and critical infrastructure. In doing so, it lays the legal groundwork for implementing European climate and environmental standards while strengthening Ukraine’s compliance with the Ramsar Convention and its alignment with the EU Nature Restoration Regulation.
Overall, the article presents peatland protection and restoration as an investment in long-term resilience rather than a barrier to development. For Ukraine, peatlands are essential for climate adaptation, water security, ecosystem health and community stability. Managing them wisely can help the country reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower fire risks, protect water resources and create sustainable economic opportunities. Through the UNDP- and GEF-supported project on sustainable livestock management and ecosystem conservation in northern Ukraine, the country is already beginning the practical work of restoring degraded peatlands, introducing sustainable land-use models such as paludiculture, and integrating ecosystem-based approaches into natural resource management.
The article concludes by stressing that peatland management is not a niche environmental issue, but a practical and essential part of modern water policy. By helping landscapes retain water, reduce fire risks and withstand extreme weather, peatlands make engineered infrastructure more effective and reduce the need for costly interventions. In that sense, the foundation of water security is not only built through pipes and pumps, but also through healthy wetlands that quietly perform the work of resilience every day.
