Peatland Code Governance

How is the Peatland Code managed and how was it developed?

Image: Sphagnum pulchrum © Norrie Russell

Peatland Code Governance

The Peatland Code and associated documents were published in March 2017 following an extensive development process which began in September 2013. It is issued by the IUCN UK National Committee and is managed on its behalf by an Executive Board. The Executive Board is facilitated by IUCN UK Peatland Programme staff and supported by a Technical Advisory Board including additional stakeholder groups, when required. 

The Peatland Code story so far... 

  • 2013 - Pilot restoration projects established
  • 2015 - Peatland Code version 1.0 (concept only) launched following Defra funded and commissioned report to develop peatland carbon metrics and financial modelling to enable quantification and valuation of the carbon impacts of peatland. 
  • 2017 - Peatland Code v1.1 launched and certification body appointed.
  • 2018 - First Peatland Code validation awarded
  • 2020 - UK Land Carbon Registry launched
  • 2021 - Peatland Code v1.2 launched. The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) are satisfied that the Peatland Code v1.2. meets the requirements for conformity assessment schemes required by ISO/IEC 14065 and EA-1/22

  • 2022 - Defra funded Centre for Ecology and Hydrology research report on Greenhouse Gas data and associated emissions factors

  • 2023 - Version 2.0 of the Peatland Code was launched, expanded to include fens and a reduction in minimum peat depth for bogs, allowing more projects to register with the Code.

The Executive Board

The Executive Board makes all management decisions regarding the Peatland Code on behalf of the IUCN UK National Committee and is responsible for strategic development of the Peatland Code in line with the objectives of the IUCN UK National Committee Peatland Programme.

Members:

  • Stuart Brooks, IUCN UK National Committee - Chair
  • Rob Stoneman, Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts - Steering Group
  • Vicky West, UK Woodland Carbon Code - Manager
  • Renée Kerkvliet Hermans, IUCN UK Peatland Programme - Peatland Code Co-ordinator
  • Mark Reed, Scotland's Rural College / IUCN UK Peatland Programme - Steering Group
  • Emma Goodyer, IUCN UK Peatland Programme - Director

Peatland Code Technical Advisory Board 

The Technical Advisory Board provides technical oversight and recommendations to the Peatland Code Executive Board. The Technical Advisory Board will take into consideration any recommendation for change relevant to the Peatland Code.

Submissions for discussion should be sent to renee.kerkvliet-hermans@iucn.org.uk

For all other enquiries and Secretariat duties please contact ed.salter@iucn.org.uk

Members: 

Members of the Peatland Code Executive Board: 

  • Emma Hinchliffe (Chair)  

  • Renée Kerkvliet-Hermans  

  • Ed Salter (Secretariat)  

Government and Government Agencies: 

  • Ben Dipper, Scottish Government 

  • Peter Phillips, Scottish Government 

  • Kate Dowen, Scottish Government 

  • Patrick Jean-Martel, NatureScot 

  • Judith Stuart, Defra 

  • Sophie Chapman, Defra

  • Alison Baker, Environment Agency

  • Katharine Birdsall, Environment Agency

  • David Drake, Natural England

  • Steve Clarke, Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme

  • Rhoswen Leonard, National Resources Wales

  • Peter Jones, National Resources Wales

  • Eimear Reeve, DAERA Northern Ireland 

Academia/Research: 

  • Chris Evans, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology 

  • Richard Lindsay, University of East London/IUCN UK Peatland Programme 

  • Rebekka Artz, James Hutton Institute  

  • Hans Joosten, Universität Greifswald   

  • John Couwenberg, Universität Greifswald  

Carbon Market Experts: 

  • Pat Snowden, Forestry Commission - Woodland Carbon Code 

  • Vicky West, Forestry Commission - Woodland Carbon Code 

  • Ian Dickie, Eftec 

  • Andrew Moxey, Pareto Consulting 

  • Helen Avery, Green Finance Institute  

  • James Dalton, IUCN 

Accreditation Bodies: 

  • Gillian Manniex, UKAS 

Validation/Verifier Bodies

  • Organic Farmers & Growers

  • Andy Grundy, Soil Association

  • Sarah Erbanova, SAC Consulting

Peatland Code Market and Investment Forum

This forum provides a mechanism for feedback, comment and information relating to the Peatland Code’s interaction with the market place to support development whilst retaining distance from parties with a vested interest in directly steering and decision making in relation to the Peatland Code process. The is not a group who formally meet. Interaction is primarily through written communications. 

Membership is open to Project Developers, End Buyers, Brokers and Retail aggregators registered on the Peatland Code IHS Markit registry.  

If you wish to become a member please contact peatlandcode@iucn.org.uk

 

Peat compost B&Q
The Wildlife Trusts unveil Peat-free Gardening Guide The Wildlife Trusts have unveiled a new handbook to help people go peat-free in their gardens and…
Restoration Risley Moss. Photo credit: Paul Thomas
Natural England launches peatland ‘toolbox talk’ on recognising archaeology during restorationNatural England worked with Wessex Archaeology to create a historic environment peatland ‘toolbox…
Ugie Peatland Partnership and Beam Suntory Landowner event
Ugie Peatland Partnership and Beam Suntory Landowner eventIn February 2023, RSPB as part of the Ugie Peatland Partnership, hosted an event, co-organised and…
Buchan Bog Buddies
Buchan Bog Buddies The RSPB and Aberdeenshire Rangers have been working with P6/P7 classes at New Pitsligo and…
Global Peatlands Initiative
Global Peatlands Initiative project: State of the Worlds Peatlands On the 17th of November 2022, at the UNFCCC COP27 in Sharm El-Sheik, Egypt, the Global Peatlands…
Area of Dartmoor undergoing restoration methods, January 2023
South West Peatland Partnership: Counting sheep to help restore peat across the UK's South WestPeatland restoration isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. It takes a range of innovative techniques…
Birchinlee (c) Moors for the Future Partnership
Moors for the Future Partnership releases series of scientific and monitoring reports from MoorLIFE 2020 projectIn September 2022, MoorLIFE 2020, the landmark project which had been the focus of much of the work…
Sphagnum moss regrowth rewards the peatland restoration action undertaken by NPAP at Tywi Forest
Wales Peatland Action By mid-2022 National Peatland Action Programme (NPAP) could reflect on a successful initial two…
Cuilcagh Mountain after restoration work
Ulster Wildlife webinar: Lessons learned: 20+ years on from blanket bog restoration at Cuilcagh MountainJoin Ulster Wildlife, RPS Ireland and the Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark to discuss what…
Peatland code version 2.0
Launch of the Peatland Code Version 2.0The IUCN UK Peatland Programme has today launched a new and highly anticipated update to the…
Molinia, Peatlands and Climate Transition Workshop
Save the Date: Molinia, Peatlands and Climate Transition Workshop’Hosted by National Trust Marsden Moor, the ‘Molinia, Peatlands and Climate Transition Workshop’…
Demonstrating Success cover art
Peat-free Horticulture Addendum: Further case studies released This addendum to the IUCN UK Peatland Programme's 'Demonstrating Success - Peat-free Horticulture'…