These unique landscapes, characterised by their carbon-rich soils, are not just a much-loved part of our environment; they are essential in mitigating climate change, bolstering biodiversity, and improving water quality. But first, we must protect and restore them. Over the past centuries, drainage, agriculture, forestry, and peat extraction have significantly degraded these fragile and important ecosystems.
Despite the excellent work of programmes like Peatland Action in Scotland and the Nature For Climate Fund in England, the cost of restoring peat on a national scale is too prohibitive to be met by public funds alone. According to the Office for National Statistics, fully restoring the UK’s degraded peatlands could cost between £8bn-£22bn over the next 100 years. However, the benefits far outweigh the costs, with potential savings of £109bn in reduced carbon emissions.