The climate change talks at Cancun have recognised that carbon savings from peatland restoration should be included alongside forestry planting in helping meet emissions reduction targets
Clifton Bain, Director of the IUCN UK Peatland Programme said, “Damaged peatlands are a major source of emissions but up until now this has not been properly accounted for. The agreement at Cancun means that the positive benefits of peatland restoration would count towards national greenhouse gas targets.”
“Many of the UK’s peatlands have been damaged by drainage and are releasing carbon that has been stored up over thousands of years. However, investing in peatland restoration has been shown to be a cheap and effective means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We are delighted at this outcome from Cancun and hope it will stimulate more concerted action to deliver peatland restoration in the UK and internationally.”
Negotiations on the whole land use sector will continue next year in preparation for the new rules to apply in 2012.
Chris Dean, Moors for the Future said, “Inclusion of emissions from peatlands in national inventories could see vital funding directed towards peatland restoration work, such as that we are currently undertaking in the Peak District.”
Paul Leadbitter, Project Manager of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership Peatscapes project said, “Our work in the North Pennines, restoring and re-wetting peatlands by blocking drains has demonstrated that this is a simple, permanent and cost effective method of reducing national CO2 emissions.”
Dr Patrick Thompson, RSPB Uplands Conservation Officer, said, “There is an urgent need to prioritise blanket bog restoration and to make funds available to carry out the work. Despite early successes in the Flow Country, much remains to be done to remove forestry from areas of deep peat to safeguard this internationally important area for biodiversity and the underlying peat carbon store.”
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NOTES
- The IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) 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. The work of the Peatland Programme is overseen by a coalition of environmental bodies including the Scottish Wildlife Trust, John Muir Trust, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, RSPB, North Pennines AONB, Moors for the Future and the University of East London. The Programme is funded by the Peter De Haan Charitable Trust. For more information visit; www.iucn-uk-peatlandprogramme.org
- Peatlands cover less than 3% of the land surface of the Earth yet they contain twice as much carbon as the world’s forests. Damaged peatlands are responsible for at least 7% of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions. The UK has the 17th largest peatland area, out of 175 nations with peat deposits and is in the top 20 countries with the most damaged peatlands. Remedial action currently being undertaken in the UK to restore peatlands could set a leading example worldwide.
