UK Government Environment Ministers have issues a statement of intent to conserve peatlands in the UK and British Overseas Territories. In a letter to the IUCN UK Peatland Programme (5th February 2013), the four country Ministers set out a framework for action aimed at protecting and enhancing the natural capital of peatlands recognising their importance for biodiversity, water and climate change.
The Ministers welcome the Commission of Inquiry on Peatlands with recognition of the tremendous contribution of all those involved and give their support for the ongoing partnership of the IUCN UK Peatland Programme in the UK and internationally.
Clifton Bain, Director of the IUCN UK Peatland Programme said:
"For too long the benefits of peatlands in their natural state have been ignored and as a consequence many are in a damaged and deteriorating state. This strong Government message heralds a new era where the value of peatlands as natural capital, for water, carbon and biodiversity is recognised.
This letter is a welcome statement of Government commitment towards peatlands and sends a clear signal to public bodies, the private sector and local partnerships of the need to work together to conserve and restore this important ecosystem, with its wonderful peatland wildlife. The peatland Inquiry identified a challenge of 1,000,000ha peatlands to be restored or under conservation management by 2020 and the IUCN UK Peatland Programme will be working across all our partners to help meet that challenge".
To read the letter please click here.
