Latest News

The IUCN UK Peatland Programme advocates the multiple benefits of peatlands through partnerships, strong science, sound policy and effective practice.

Desmids of peatlands © Emma Goodyer

Latest News

Budget announcements for UK peatland restoration

April 29, 2020
Peatlands received a welcome funding boost in the UK Budget 2020.  In a move to support the Governments commitment to tackling biodiversity and the climate change emergencies with a transition towards Net Zero, peatland restoration has been highlighted as a positive investment. Image credit: Scottish Natural Heritage

Peatlands in the UK beyond Common Agriculture Policy (CAP)

April 29, 2020
The IUCN UK Peatland Programme continues to feed into the international peatland agenda, recently supporting a new position paper - ‘Peatlands in the EU- Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) after 2020’ by Greifswald Mire Centre, which sets out the key goals of ensuring future eligibility for wet peatlands to receive payments whilst avoiding any  support for peatland drainage.

Wet agriculture - a tool in the climate action toolbox

April 29, 2020
With the urgent need to reduce our carbon emissions wherever possible, complimenting traditional agriculture on drained peatlands with wet farming techniques could help reduce greenhouse gases emitted from damaged peatlands. Image: Sphagnum moss farming site, Greifswald Mire Centre © Tobias Dahms

Peatland & Trees position statement released

April 24, 2020
The IUCN UK Peatland Programme have released a position statement and recommendations on Trees on Peatlands in the UK. Image: Afforested peatland restoration at Forsinard © Neil Cowie/RSPB.

Burning & Peatlands Position Statement

March 31, 2020
The IUCN UK Peatland Programme have updated our position statement on Burning and Peatlands which sets out the precautionary principle and clearly recommends that burning should not occur on peatlands.

Scottish Budget 2020-21

February 7, 2020
The Scottish Government announces £20 million for peatland restoration and a commitment to invest £250 million over the next ten years.

Committee on Climate Change Report on Land Use: Policies for a Net Zero UK

January 23, 2020
The IUCN UK Peatland Programme welcomes strengthened policy and legislative recommendations in the most recent Committee on Climate Change report for increasing the area of UK peatland under restoration and a move to more sustainable management practices.

Dryhope 2017
Major milestone in peatland restoration as first blended finance project is verifiedThis month marks a very important milestone for the IUCN UK Peatland Programme’s Peatland Code, as…
People grouped together, standing and sitting on a baled crop.
Opportunity to contribute to the understanding of the constraints and opportunities for agricultural lowland peat Views are being sought from a range of stakeholders who have experience of, or are interested in,…
Exterior view of Virtual Peatlands Pavilion showing four large domes in a peat swamp forest
The Virtual Peatlands Pavilion Word Tour continues at Ramsar COP15The next stop for the immersive digital library of peatland resources is Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe,…
Person smiling and pointing at a sign saying '#BeMoreMoss'. Credit Vicky Akerman
Announcing Peat-Fest South-West 2025 – a celebration of our peatland connectionsThe Art and Energy Collective has been awarded a grant by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to…
Windfarm on peatland site
National Policy Statements public consultationOpportunity to contribute to public consultation on National Policy Statements to support Clean…
Line of fire being set by a vehicle with people on the back as part of swaling. Credit Heather Lowther (Creative Commons)
Public consultation on heather and grass burning regulations in EnglandThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme has responded to Defra’s proposal to protect a greater extent of…
Cross section of bare peat
New Peat Map for EnglandThis week Natural England published the much anticipated England Peat Map which highlights the…
IUCN World Conservation Congress logo
Peatland motion headed to World Conservation Congress for considerationThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme-led motion to develop a unified definition of peatlands has…
Area of burnt vegetation on national park in Northumberland
A collection of three Natural England reports marks a step change for English peatlandsWe summarise three new reports from Natural England which have important implications for English…
Neolithic trackway on Hatfield Moors. Credit: Henry Chapman Uni of Birmingham
New publication: Tracks and roads on peatlandsThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme are pleased to publish our latest brief focusing on the impacts of…
Peatland landscape showing flux tower and solar panel with a blue sky and hills in the background. Image credit Hollie Cooper, UKCEH
Funding announced for greenhouse gas reduction solutions on peatlandsThe UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology is seeking proposals for projects up to £75,000 to advance…
Hare's tail cottongrass on Humberhead levels
Committee on Climate Change (CCC) 7th Carbon Budget Report - a response from IUCN UK Peatland ProgrammeThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme welcomes this week the publication of the Committee on Climate…