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.
Peatland Code
The Peatland Code is a voluntary standard for UK peatland projects wishing to market the climate benefit of restoration.
The Peatland Code provides assurance and clarity for business and other investors in peatland restoration projects through independent validation and verification. The Peatland Code works on the basis that during restoration, carbon savings are made through rapid emissions reductions.
The Peatland Code provides assurance and clarity for business and other investors in peatland restoration projects through independent validation and verification. The Peatland Code works on the basis that during restoration, carbon savings are made through rapid emissions reductions.
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 Verification
Find out more about how the Peatland Code verification process works.
An update on the Peatland Code
The Peatland Code continues to grow rapidly with 79 projects now registered and 10,300 ha of expected peatland restoration.
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 habitats
Learn more about the variety of peatland habitats and how they can look strikingly different from each other.