Protecting peatlands
Described as the ‘Cinderella habitat’, peatlands have long been uncared for, unappreciated and abused and, in the UK, only around 20% of peatlands remain in a near-natural state.
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About Peatlands
Find out more about peatlands including what they are and why they are important.
Peatland conservation
Fully functioning, healthy peatlands with complex biodiversity can provide a multitude of different opportunities for farming, sporting or recreation.
Global Peatlands Initiative project: State of the Worlds Peatlands
Global Peatlands Initiative (GPI) launches its Global Peatlands Assessment - The State of the World’s Peatlands - at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27) taking place…
UK Environment Ministers announce Action for peatlands
UK Government Environment Ministers have issues a statement of intent to conserve peatlands in the UK and British Overseas Territories.
Uncertainty and opportunity ahead: peatlands post-Brexit
The fantastic outcome of a peatland resolution from the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Hawaii reminds us of the global imperative to protect and enhance our peatlands. Decades of peatland…
Peatlands and the climate emergency
2019 has seen all four devolved governments across the UK declare a climate emergency.
Peatland Code
Launched in 2015, the Peatland Code is a voluntary certification standard developed and managed by the IUCN UK Peatland Programme. It plays a pivotal role in the fight against climate change by providing a rigorous, science-backed framework for generating independently verified carbon credits from peatland restoration. It ensures that restoration projects deliver real, measurable climate benefits. Currently work is also underway to quantify the biodiversity uplift of Peatland Code projects in a robust way. Using the Peatland Code means investing in nature-based solutions that benefit people, planet, and biodiversity.
The Peatland Code is a key component of the wider work of the IUCN UK Peatland Programme (IUCN UK PP), which has been promoting the restoration and sustainable management of UK peatlands since 2009. Through strong science, sound policy, effective practice, and collaborative partnerships, the Programme advocates for the many benefits peatlands offer from biodiversity and water quality to climate resilience.
The Peatland Code is a key component of the wider work of the IUCN UK Peatland Programme (IUCN UK PP), which has been promoting the restoration and sustainable management of UK peatlands since 2009. Through strong science, sound policy, effective practice, and collaborative partnerships, the Programme advocates for the many benefits peatlands offer from biodiversity and water quality to climate resilience.
New guidance for wetter farming on peatlands
The IUCN UK Peatland Programme’s latest briefing, ‘Principles for Sustainable Peatland Paludiculture’, sets out to ensure the multiple benefits of peatlands are realised when managing different…
Cairngorms Peatlands flying high
Restoration management is underway again in the Cairngorms National Park supported by Peatland ACTION after the delays due to the global pandemic.
Threats to peatlands
Described as the ‘Cinderella habitat’, peatlands have long been uncared for, unappreciated and abused and, in the UK, only around 20% of peatlands remain in a near-natural state.
Peatland ACTION guidance for planners now available online
A Planning Skills webinar aimed at local authority and key agency staff in planning roles is now available to view online. The session discusses the role of peatlands in the Scottish environment…