Overlooked Potential of Peatland Restoration
Ongoing work by the Nature-based Solutions Initiative’s John Lynch and Xiao Zhang in collaboration with The Wildlife Trusts, as part of the Agile Initiative, is quantifying the climate benefits of vital peatland restoration work that may have been omitted from official greenhouse gas statistics.
Peatlands are effective natural carbon sinks – removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere that would otherwise contribute to global warming and storing it as soil carbon long-term – if conditions remain ecologically favourable. However, when these ecosystems are damaged, they release their stored carbon, exacerbating climate change. This makes the restoration of peatlands essential to achieving net-zero emissions.
Yet, despite their importance, concerns have been raised that there is a lack of ambition in the amount of peatland restoration anticipated over current climate policy expectations. In a recent article, The Wildlife Trusts argued that this appears to stem from under-reporting of how much peatland restoration is happening already. The piece advocates for several key changes to ensure that the full scope of peatland restoration efforts is recognised and accounted for:
• The creation of a shared national map of active restoration sites and a standardised reporting mechanism for all land managers involved in restoration.
• Public access to the data used in national inventories, allowing for independent verification and the identification of gaps in restoration efforts.
• A more inclusive approach that accounts for the full range of restoration activities and funding sources, providing a true picture of progress.
As the UK prepares to revise its Net Zero Strategy, it is critical to recognise the full extent of peatland restoration efforts and to develop a more accurate and comprehensive measurement system. By fostering collaboration between the government, NGOs, and academic institutions, the UK can ensure that peatlands receive necessary funding and restoration.
This work is part of a project exploring decision-making relating to biogenic greenhouse gas emissions, through The Agile Initiative at the Oxford Martin School.
Peatlands can play a crucial role in achieving Net Zero goals. These unique ecosystems act as natural carbon sinks, and are unique habitats with significant biodiversity value. However, data on peatland restoration projects needs to be better tracked so that that the climate benefits are accurately monitored, and policy developed that recognises the value of this Nature-based Solution.
