About Us

The IUCN UK Peatland Programme exists to promote peatland restoration in the UK and advocates the multiple benefits of peatlands through partnerships, strong science, sound policy and effective practice.

Image © Clifton Bain

About Us

"The IUCN is a powerful Union for sustaining life and livelihoods
IUCN is a democratic membership Union which brings together the world’s most influential organisations in a combined effort to conserve nature and accelerate the transition to sustainable development."
  IUCN, 2019

IUCN Corporate brochure

The IUCN UK Peatland Project is one of several projects governed by the IUCN National Committee UK

The IUCN UK PP is one project under the IUCN National Committee UK

 

The IUCN UK Peatland Programme was set up in 2009 to promote peatland restoration in the UK. The Programme advocates the multiple benefits of peatlands through partnerships, strong science, sound policy and effective practice. 

Our work

    •    Provides a focus for peatland research and management
    •    Offers credible messages for decision makers
    •    Facilitates consensus building and knowledge exchange
    •    Highlights the benefits and values of peatland ecosystem services
 

Programme objectives

  1. Inform policy and legislation at international, EU, UK and devolved country level to ensure effective conservation and restoration of peatlands and secure long term funding and regulatory support for the sustainable management of peatlands.
  2. Champion peatlands and their plight to decision makers and the public by promoting their environmental, social, cultural and economic values.
  3. Improve knowledge and understanding of peatland conditions and their functions, particularly in relation to greenhouse gas emissions and water management.
  4. Improve information sharing and knowledge exchange within the community of peatland practitioners, policy makers and researchers.
  5. Promote good practice within industry, the private landowning and business sector to help conserve peatlands and identify the economic opportunities for the private sector from peatland restoration.

Annual Reports 

To view and download our 2023/24 annual report click here.

Photograph of Cornwall Sustainability Awards on a table with a screen in the background
Big Win for Cornwall’s Peatlands at Local Sustainability AwardsThe South West Peatland Partnership (SWPP) has been recognised at the 2024 Cornwall Sustainability…
Aerial image of hagging on a damaged blanket bog landscape. Image credit: Mark Brown
Technical review of remote sensing for UK peatlandsThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme has commissioned a technical review of the potential and…
Salmon leaping out of the water. Image credit Stephen Barlow
New species showcase - Atlantic salmonThe latest in our series of species showcases celebrates the Atlantic salmon and the role that…
Exterior view of Virtual Peatland Pavilion showing four large domes in an urban landscape
New Virtual Peatland Pavilion launched for COP29To raise awareness of the global importance of peatlands during COP29, the latest pavilion has been…
Cover image for 'The most important plant in the world' showing the film's title in yellow text over a background of Sphagnum moss
Specially commissioned film celebrates 'The most important plant in the world'The IUCN UK Peatland Programme has commissioned the first in a series of short films, celebrating…
Cumbrian tarn - large body of water with emergent vegetation and hills in the distance. Image credit Steve Hewert.
Launch of the Peatland Code Version 2.1The IUCN UK Peatland Programme has launched a new update to the Peatland Code, which helps to boost…
Flat peatland landscape on fire with large plumes of smoke. Image credit Paul Turner
New brief highlights the importance of peatland rewetting for wildfire resilienceThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme's latest publication explores recent evidence from the UK and North…
Painting of a river in spate: Peter Graham 1866, 'A spate in the highlands'
Call for proposals for Water Research Seminar SeriesThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme and the Environment Agency are delighted to announce a series of…
'Work in progress' sign with a digger on it next to two photographs of children drawing on large sheets of paper
The Power of the Peat Bogs! How pupils turned their environmental education into a song Primary school pupils who have engaged with a project to restore ancient peatland and traditional…
SWPP award
South West Peatland Partnership awarded gold by Global Good AwardsThe South West Peatland Partnership won a Gold award at the Global Good Awards for their work…
Exterior view of Virtual Peatland Pavilion showing four large domes in a desert landscape
Seeking content for the COP29 Virtual Peatland PavilionThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme and Global Peatlands Initiative are seeking new content for an…
UK Peatland Strategy
New report celebrates UK peatland restoration – but climate and nature targets still at riskAnalysis reveals 250,000 hectares of peatland restoration activity over 30 years – way short of the…