Latest News

The IUCN UK Peatland Programme advocates the multiple benefits of peatlands through partnerships, strong science, sound policy and effective practice.

Desmids of peatlands © Emma Goodyer

Latest News

Peatland & Trees position statement released

April 24, 2020
The IUCN UK Peatland Programme have released a position statement and recommendations on Trees on Peatlands in the UK. Image: Afforested peatland restoration at Forsinard © Neil Cowie/RSPB.

Burning & Peatlands Position Statement

March 31, 2020
The IUCN UK Peatland Programme have updated our position statement on Burning and Peatlands which sets out the precautionary principle and clearly recommends that burning should not occur on peatlands.

Scottish Budget 2020-21

February 7, 2020
The Scottish Government announces £20 million for peatland restoration and a commitment to invest £250 million over the next ten years.

Committee on Climate Change Report on Land Use: Policies for a Net Zero UK

January 23, 2020
The IUCN UK Peatland Programme welcomes strengthened policy and legislative recommendations in the most recent Committee on Climate Change report for increasing the area of UK peatland under restoration and a move to more sustainable management practices.

New resource available: Explaining the impact of peatland drainage.

January 22, 2020
Illustrating the multiple effects of peatland drainage including implications for carbon emissions.

A burning issue: comparison between Australian & UK fire management misses the mark.

January 10, 2020
The news of the ongoing Australian fires is deeply concerning both in terms of the impact on people, wildlife, the environment and the picture it paints of the risks brought about by changing weather patterns and the global climate crisis. The threat to human lives, disruption to travel as well as the huge financial costs in tackling the fires and dealing with the aftermath deserves urgent international attention. Recent media in the UK has drawn inappropriate comparisons between the management of the fires in Australia and the use of fire in moorland management in the UK.   

IUCN Resolution 43 reporting

December 16, 2019
New report on progress under IUCN Resolution 43: Securing the future of global peatlands available with links to known Peatland Strategies from around the world now available.

Person smiling and pointing at a sign saying '#BeMoreMoss'. Credit Vicky Akerman
Announcing Peat-Fest South-West 2025 – a celebration of our peatland connectionsThe Art and Energy Collective has been awarded a grant by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to…
Windfarm on peatland site
National Policy Statements public consultationOpportunity to contribute to public consultation on National Policy Statements to support Clean…
Line of fire being set by a vehicle with people on the back as part of swaling. Credit Heather Lowther (Creative Commons)
Public consultation on heather and grass burning regulations in EnglandThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme has responded to Defra’s proposal to protect a greater extent of…
Cross section of bare peat
New Peat Map for EnglandThis week Natural England published the much anticipated England Peat Map which highlights the…
IUCN World Conservation Congress logo
Peatland motion headed to World Conservation Congress for considerationThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme-led motion to develop a unified definition of peatlands has…
Area of burnt vegetation on national park in Northumberland
A collection of three Natural England reports marks a step change for English peatlandsWe summarise three new reports from Natural England which have important implications for English…
Neolithic trackway on Hatfield Moors. Credit: Henry Chapman Uni of Birmingham
New publication: Tracks and roads on peatlandsThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme are pleased to publish our latest brief focusing on the impacts of…
Peatland landscape showing flux tower and solar panel with a blue sky and hills in the background. Image credit Hollie Cooper, UKCEH
Funding announced for greenhouse gas reduction solutions on peatlandsThe UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology is seeking proposals for projects up to £75,000 to advance…
Hare's tail cottongrass on Humberhead levels
Committee on Climate Change (CCC) 7th Carbon Budget Report - a response from IUCN UK Peatland ProgrammeThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme welcomes this week the publication of the Committee on Climate…
Water vole sitting with blackberries
New species showcase - Water voleContinuing the spotlight on peatland biodiversity, our first Species Showcase of 2025 is the Water…
Digger being used to carry out peat bog restoration. Photo: Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust
Adoption of University of Cumbria PhD student’s carbon calculator brings national and international significanceThis week University of Cumbria and Barker and Bland Ltd.’s innovative carbon calculator has been…
Image advertising launch of the CivTech Round 10 Challenge
CiVTech innovators leading drive for advances within Peatland and Woodland Carbon CodesBringing efficiences to the Peatland Code and Woodland Carbon Code is the focus for three…