Peatland Policy Internship

Peatland Policy Internship


Application deadline: February 28, 2023
Location: Budapest, Hungary, or remotely

General Responsibilities

About CEEweb

CEEweb for Biodiversity is a network of 33 organisations from 15 Central and Eastern Europe countries committed, since 1994, to the conservation of biodiversity through the promotion of sustainable development. Throughout this time, we have worked in over 20 countries identifying and changing the drivers behind biodiversity loss; forming common policies and actions for the enhancement of biodiversity in Central and Eastern Europe; and promoting the enforcement of international conventions for nature and biodiversity conservation. To achieve our mission, we work on advocacy, networking with and influencing decision-makers, implementing national and transnational projects, and carrying out capacity-building and raising awareness activities.

About the Project

The Building the European Peatlands Initiative: a strong alliance for peatland climate protection in Europe project, funded by the European Climate Initiative (EUKI), aims to enhance climate mitigation and reduction of GHG emissions through improved pan-European collaboration for the conservation and restoration of peatlands, sustainable agricultural use of peatlands and the regeneration of healthy soils. The Peatland Policy Intern will have the opportunity to support these objectives by contributing to diverse activities to raise awareness, build capacities and provide recommendations to improve future peatland policies.

About the Internship

As peatlands are increasingly threatened globally, as well as in Europe, by unsustainable land use, the effects of climate change and biodiversity loss, urgent action is needed to address these damaging trends and introduce supportive policies and actions instead. Peatlands, as massive carbon sinks, can potentially play a significant role in climate change mitigation. However, when drained and unsustainably managed, they become sources of GHG emissions.

National peatland policies in Europe are heterogenic: while countries such as Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom are already implementing their national strategies, others still need to start. In Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), a low level of public awareness of peatlands is a key problem, and hence the climate services they provide are undervalued. Recently, peatlands have become more important in EU policy instruments: the Biodiversity Strategy 2030, Adaptation Strategy, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the Fit for 55 package and the proposed Nature Restoration Law. EU policies eventually need to be implemented on a national scale, CEEweb aims to support this process as part of a small international consortium.

Proposed activities under this work area include: 

  • Contributing to the critical assessment of peatland policies on different governance levels.
  • Identifying strengths, weaknesses and best practices (inside and outside of Europe) in policies for the sustainable management of peatlands.
  • Conducting research and contributing to science-based papers and communications campaigns that will eventually support improved peatland policies in Europe.
  • Supporting the CEEweb team in the organisation and facilitation of various capacity-building events for multiple stakeholder groups.
  • Drafting powerful social media messages and online articles to convey the main findings and recommendations of the project.

 

Diversity is our advantage

Therefore, we welcome all applications equally – independent of age, gender, nationality, ethnic or social origin, religion/ideology, disabilities, sexual orientation, and identity.

 

Duration: 3 months

Please note that this is an unpaid internship opportunity. Nevertheless, all costs linked to the participation of the intern in events, such as travelling and accommodation, are covered by CEEweb.

If you are interested in this position, please send your CV and motivation letter to Ms Judit Palotás at office@ceeweb.org with the subject "Peatland Policy Internship - Application".

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