Find out more about peatlands including what they are and why they are important.

The IUCN UK Peatland Programme was set up in 2009 to promote peatland restoration in the UK. We advocate the multiple benefits of peatlands through partnerships, strong science, sound policy and effective practice.

Burning as a land management tool has been practiced for long periods of time in the UK – but the reasons and methods have altered over time. The overwhelming scientific evidence base points to burning on peatlands causing damage to key peatland species, peatland ecosystem health, and the sustainability of peatland soils. 

Launched in 2015, the Peatland Code is a voluntary certification standard developed and managed by the IUCN UK Peatland Programme. It plays a pivotal role in the fight against climate change by providing a rigorous, science-backed framework for generating independently verified carbon credits from peatland restoration. It ensures that restoration projects deliver real, measurable climate benefits. Currently work is also underway to quantify the biodiversity uplift of Peatland Code projects in a robust way. Using the Peatland Code means investing in nature-based solutions that benefit people, planet, and biodiversity.

The Peatland Code is a key component of the wider work of the IUCN UK Peatland Programme (IUCN UK PP), which has been promoting the restoration and sustainable management of UK peatlands since 2009. Through strong science, sound policy, effective practice, and collaborative partnerships, the Programme advocates for the many benefits peatlands offer from biodiversity and water quality to climate resilience.

Find out more about how the Peatland Code verification process works.

Learn more about the variety of peatland habitats and how they can look strikingly different from each other.