This Review examines current and future policy measures affecting the sustainable management of peatlands. The Review looks at existing conservation and landscape designations, national strategies, planning and other legal frameworks, codes of practice and provide an assessment of exemplars of good practice. The Review also looks at potential future policy developments at UK, European and International level.

The Review discusses outputs from the Sustainable Uplands project in relation to peatland sustainability in both uplands and lowlands; reviews current approaches to information provision and capacity building for sustainable peatland management; and explores the potential for future land management payments in UK and EU peatlands to be based around Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES).

Scientific Review

• Download the scientific review Policy Options for Sustainable Management

Please note, the views expressed in this review are those of the authors. The IUCN UK Peatland Programme is not responsible for the content of this review and does not necessarily endorse the views contained within.

This Review is co-funded by the Rural Economy and Land Use (RELU) Programme.

Review Team

This review is lead by Dr Mark Reed Research Manager of IUCN UK Peatland Programme.

Mark Reed is an interdisciplinary environmental researcher, Professor of Interdisciplinary Environmental Research at the Centre for Environment and Society Research in the Birmingham School of the Built Environment, Birmingham City University. He is also the IUCN UK Peatland Programme's Research Manager.