About Peatlands
Find out more about peatlands including what they are and why they are important.
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About us
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.
Peatland conservation
Fully functioning, healthy peatlands with complex biodiversity can provide a multitude of different opportunities for farming, sporting or recreation.
Water quality
The provision of water is an ecosystem service of peatlands. The British Isles are globally unique in sourcing their drinking water predominantly from peatlands - around 85% of all global drinking water sourced directly from peatlands is consumed in the UK and Republic of Ireland.
Beyond the Map: What an MSc Research Project Revealed About the Real Barriers to Peatland Restoration
In this guest blog, recent MSc Business and Sustainability graduate Poppy McClennon reflects on her research into England's peatlands, combining spatial mapping with stakeholder interviews to…
Regulating Water Flow
Peatlands are not only an important source of water in the UK - they are also key ecosystems in regulating water flows and reducing the risk of floods.
Regulating Water Flow
Peatlands are not only an important source of water in the UK - they are also key ecosystems in regulating water flows and reducing the risk of floods.
Peatland Code
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.
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.
Call for proposals for Water Research Seminar Series
The IUCN UK Peatland Programme and the Environment Agency are delighted to announce a series of workshops for 2025 aimed at highlighting the importance of the water environment within the peatland…
Eyes on the Bog monitoring at the Water Works project
A new set of monitoring equipment has been installed at the Water Works project site in East Anglia, by our Eyes on the Bog Champion, Jack Clough of the University of East London.
Peatland Code Verification
Find out more about how the Peatland Code verification process works.
Why Reliable Water Monitoring Matters for Peatland Restoration
This guest blog from In-Situ, exhibitors at the recent 2025 IUCN UK Peatland Programme conference, explains the importance of reliable water monitoring for peatlands.