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

New Virtual Peatland Pavilion

December 14, 2023
The IUCN UK Peatland Programme and Richard Lindsay have produced a new Virtual Peatland Pavilion, supported by UNEP's Global Peatlands Initiative, containing a suite of inspiring global peatland material from cultural videos to policy documents.

Clifton Bain retires after 14 years

December 12, 2023
After 14 years at the IUCN UK Peatland Programme, our Programme Advisor Clifton Bain, is retiring. IUCN UK PP Co-Chair Rob Stoneman looks back on their time together.

Interested in developing and validating models of peat depth, condition and water table dynamics?

December 7, 2023
Developing, validating and verifying Peatland Code or other peatland restoration projects can be a challenge! Your help is needed to develop or test peatland tools.   

New training scheme to upskill peatland machine operators

December 1, 2023
Peatland ACTION is piloting a new training scheme to help more people develop the skills to carry out practical peatland restoration. 

Draft legislation potentially puts large carbon stores at risk

November 29, 2023
The Wildlife Management & Muirburn Bill is currently passing through the Scottish Parliament and proposes to introduce a stronger regulatory framework for grouse moor management and the practice of muirburn. The IUCN UK PP has highlighted concerns about how peatlands are defined in the Bill: this definition could result in more than half of Scotland’s peatlands, which are valuable carbon stores and important for peatland biodiversity, being not technically considered as ‘peatlands’ under the legislation and thus leaving them vulnerable to further degradation.

Programme co-founder wins award

November 23, 2023
Dr Rob Stoneman, one of the founders and co-chair of the IUCN UK Peatland Programme, was awarded the presitigious The Christopher Cadbury Medal at The Wildlife Trusts’ Annual General Meeting on 23rd November 2023.

Peatland ACTION scoops double success

November 10, 2023
Peatland ACTION has won the Holyrood Climate Action Award for Nature and the Environment, and gained Highly Commended in the Nature of Scotland Awards.

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…
Digger being used to carry out peat bog restoration. Photo: Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust
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…
Image advertising launch of the CivTech Round 10 Challenge
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…
Interior of the Virtual Peatlands Pavilion, showing the information desk with a giant dragonfly and globe suspended above it.
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…
Image of a computer screen displaying a survey
Public Consultation for Biodiversity Quantification MethodologyThe Woodland Carbon Code and Peatland Code are pleased to announce their public consultation…
Image of machinery being used on a peatland to restore the habitat
Natural Resources Wales announces new funding for peatland restorationA new restoration fund, managed by Natural Resources Wales (NRW), was launched this week in an…
The IUCN UK Peatland Programme team at the base of Kinder Scout
Reflecting on 2024: a busy year for peatlandsAs the year draws to a close, the IUCN UK Peatland Programme looks back on 2024.
Four people in outdoor clothing looking out across a peatland landscape. Image credit: Mark Reed
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…
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…