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Preserving moors

The world’s most effective carbon reservoirs

Environment
Futurestories – a tranquil moorland lake at dusk with a tuft of grass growing on a small hill in the water, trees on the shore in the background and a pastel-coloured sky reflecting on the surface, all beautifully preserved.
Futurestories The image shows the logo of the Loki Schmidt Foundation with green, stylized plant shapes on the left and the foundation's name in capital letters on the right, all on a white background.
A project by Loki Schmidt Foundation

Purchases of moorland by the Loki Schmidt Foundation

Around 95 per cent of moorlands in Germany are considered to be severely impaired or destroyed. This is a serious problem, because moors are not only a habitat for many plant and animal species; they are also the most effective natural carbon reservoirs in the world. They store more CO₂ than all forests combined: although they only cover around three per cent of the earth’s land area, they trap around a third of terrestrial carbon. However, if a moor is drained to make the area usable for farming or construction, the carbon stored in the peat is released in gas form – this harms the climate and contributes significantly to global warming. In Germany, around seven per cent of total greenhouse gas emissions come from drained moorlands.

In order to protect these valuable ecosystems over the long term, the Loki Schmidt Foundation purchases moorland and removes it from commercial use – and we support them in the process.

Futurestories A blue frog sits on a bed of dry, brown grass and twigs in the moor, blending into its natural surroundings. The frog looks away at an angle, its body and legs partially visible between the grass.
With a body length of approx. 6 cm, the moor frog is one of the smaller native frogs. During the mating season, the males turn an intense sky blue to violet colour for a few days. © Axel Jahn
Futurestories A cheerful moorland landscape shows a tranquil pond with tall, dry grasses in the foreground, scattered tree stumps in the water and a forest with leafless trees under a partly cloudy blue sky – a fascinating natural scene that must be preserved.
Only specialists such as sphagnum moss, sundew and cotton grass survive in the acidic, nutrient-poor Wittmoor near Hamburg. © Axel Jahn
Futurestories A wetland scene with shallow water reflecting green trees, light green moss, fallen branches and dense forest vegetation at the edge underscores the importance of preserving moors as unique habitats.
Untouched riverbanks provide habitats for many animal and plant species. In addition, riparian vegetation and wetlands filter nutrients, pollutants and sediments from the water. © Axel Jahn
Futurestories A group of people wearing jackets stand in a forest and listen to a bearded man wearing a hat who gestures and talks about moorland conservation and nature conservation, surrounded by trees and lush greenery.
A moorland guide explains the flora and fauna: participants discover carnivorous plants, dragonflies and cranes, for example, on their tour. © Axel Jahn
Futurestories A moorland landscape at dawn with calm waters, tall grasses and small trees. Mist rises from the water as shades of blue and purple colour the sky. Wooded areas can be seen in the background, emphasising the importance of preserving such tranquil environments.
A moor protected thanks to the Loki Schmidt Foundation. © Jürgen Borris | Nature photography
Forever is how long moors are protected when the Loki Schmidt Foundation buys the land.
More than 140 hectares of moorland have already been purchased and leased by the Loki Schmidt Foundation.
Moors store one third of the world’s terrestrial carbon – more than all forests combined.
Futurestories A flat, abstract pink shape with five rounded, uneven extensions radiating from a central base against a light background.
Futurestories – a middle-aged man in a grey shirt is standing outdoors holding a pair of binoculars. In the background, there is green foliage and a healthy peatland, highlighting peatland conservation and the importance of areas that naturally store CO₂.

„A healthy moor has a huge impact. It buffers heavy rainfall, stores CO₂ for centuries and provides a habitat for rare species. That’s why every meter of moorland protection is worthwhile.“

Axel Jahn
Managing Director, Loki Schmidt Foundation

Futurestories about this project

Futurestories Eine Person mit einem Rucksack geht einen Weg entlang eines ruhigen Gewässers bei Sonnenaufgang oder Sonnenuntergang, mit Bäumen und Pflanzen, die sich im Wasser spiegeln, und einem teilweise bewölkten Himmel über dem Wasser, was eine passende Szene für eine Projekt- oder Zukunftskarte ist.
26. NOVEMBER 2025

We need moor! Silent heroes in the fight against the climate crisis.

Moors store more carbon than all the world’s forests combined, protect against flooding and serve as a habitat for many endangered species. They are enormously important ecosystems, so we are working with the Loki Schmidt Foundation to ensure that they are preserved or rewetted. During a project visit to the moorlands around Hamburg, Axel Jahn, Managing Director of the Loki Schmidt Foundation, guides us through these beautiful landscapes.

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