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
Latest News
Peatland biodiversity - butterflies & moths
May 5, 2019
At Butterfly Conservation we understand the great value of healthy functioning peatlands for biodiversity. While much of the focus is on the specialised plants found on peat bogs, there are a number of butterflies and moths which are associated with bogs too
New initiative to combine data across studies and sites to better inform peatland policy and practice
April 23, 2019
Researchers, practitioners and policy-makers from across Europe, whose goal is to understand better how peatlands respond to climate change, land use and restoration took part in a workshop in Newcastle in March. Their aim was to begin the process of finding a way to standardise the collection of environmental data so it can be combined from multiple studies and sites to better inform policy and practice.
Wetland Futures in Contested Environments: an inter- and transdisciplinary approach to wetland heritage in the Netherlands, United Kingdom and Ireland
April 12, 2019
Wetlands across Europe, and around the world, are undergoing rapid changes from a range of pressures, but there are no tailor-made or proactive studies to identify the impacts of change on their heritage resource.
The pain of a peat-free UK?
February 18, 2019
30 years ago Plantlife’s then CEO Jane Smart, now IUCN’s Global Director of IUCN’s Biodiversity Conservation Group and Director of IUCN’s Global Species Programme, launched an appeal to protect our peatlands, in what was Plantlife’s first campaign.
As Plantlife celebrates its 30th birthday much has changed however the drive to protect our special peatlands remains a critical environmental cause.
Moving towards a future of peat-free products
February 18, 2019
Cheap, usually imported, bags of peat do not reflect the environmental costs to society caused by peat mining and are undercutting the production and supply of peat-free materials. Advances in the development of peat-free horticultural products, means that the UK could establish its own long-term viable industry providing sustainable soil conditioners and growing materials for amateur and professional gardeners
Peat-free growing media - Promoting long-term growth and sustainable business
February 18, 2019
Peat as a growing medium ingredient is becomingly increasingly unacceptable and this has led in recent years to more and more use of peat-free growing media.
Opportunity for peatland restoration projects to help track progress against UK Peatland Strategy
February 15, 2019
The UK Peatland Strategy set a target of two million hectares of peatland in good condition, under restoration or being sustainably managed by 2040.
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…
New publication: Tracks and roads on peatlandsThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme are pleased to publish our latest brief focusing on the impacts of…
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…
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…
New species showcase - Water voleContinuing the spotlight on peatland biodiversity, our first Species Showcase of 2025 is the Water…
Adoption of University of Cumbria PhD student’s carbon calculator brings national and international significanceThis week University of Cumbria and Barker and Bland Ltd.’s innovative carbon calculator has been…
CiVTech innovators leading drive for advances within Peatland and Woodland Carbon CodesBringing efficiences to the Peatland Code and Woodland Carbon Code is the focus for three…
Embark on a voyage of discovery with the Virtual Peatlands Pavilion 2025 world tour To raise awareness of the global distribution and importance of peatlands, the Virtual Peatlands…
Public Consultation for Biodiversity Quantification MethodologyThe Woodland Carbon Code and Peatland Code are pleased to announce their public consultation…
Natural Resources Wales announces new funding for peatland restorationA new restoration fund, managed by Natural Resources Wales (NRW), was launched this week in an…
Reflecting on 2024: a busy year for peatlandsAs the year draws to a close, the IUCN UK Peatland Programme looks back on 2024.
Help answer the question: Do investors undervalue the social impact of peatland projects in the UK when making investment decisions?Business professionals at the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership are seeking…