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

Scottish peatland recognised as globally important by UNESCO World Heritage Site designation

July 29, 2024
The Flow Country in the north of Scotland, Europe's largest expanse of blanket bog, has been declared as the world's first peatland World Heritage Site.

New species showcase - large heath

July 18, 2024
Our latest species showcase introduces the large heath butterfly, its association with two iconic peatland species and the restoration and reintroduction efforts bringing this beautiful butterfly back to its former home in the Manchester mosslands.

New briefing addresses the peatlands and methane debate

July 10, 2024
The IUCN UK Peatland Programme has launched a new briefing “Peatlands and Methane” that summarises the science around methane emissions from peatlands, and calls for urgent action to rewet drained peatlands as soon as possible to reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions.

New £3 million fund for peatland restoration in Northern Ireland

June 11, 2024
Applications for the new £3 million Peatland Challenge Fund to help protect Northern Ireland's peatlands closes on 19 June.

Scotland’s Peatland ACTION programme hits record restoration milestone

June 10, 2024
For the first time since the Peatland ACTION programme began, more than 10,000 hectares of damaged peatland has been restored in Scotland over the last year, reducing harmful emissions and accelerating progress to net zero.

New species showcase - cottongrass

May 29, 2024
Our May species showcase looks at the role that cottongrass plays in peatlands, its cultural and historical importance and how people are working to reintroduce it to areas where it has become locally scarce.

Remembering Jennifer Fulton

May 21, 2024
We, at the IUCN UK Peatland Programme, are still reeling from the loss of Jennifer Fulton, Chief Executive of Ulster Wildlife, and a long-term member of our steering group, who sadly passed away in early May after a short illness.

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…
Water vole sitting with blackberries
New species showcase - Water voleContinuing the spotlight on peatland biodiversity, our first Species Showcase of 2025 is the Water…