Inquiry Findings 2011

Image: Front cover of CoI Report 2011, Sphagnum © Laurie Campbell, Scottish Natural Heritage

Inquiry Findings 2011

"This IUCN UK Commission of Inquiry on Peatlands presents one of the most extensive assessments of peatlands undertaken in the UK to date. It identifies the state and value of peatland ecosystems and develops ways to safeguard and restore their natural capital." Lord Jamie Lindsay, Professor Andrew Watkinson & Sir Graham Wynne, Patrons of the IUCN UK Commission of Inquiry on Peatlands. 

Commission of Inquiry 2011 full reportThe 2011 IUCN UK Commission of Inquiry on Peatlands brought together over 300 contributors from over 50 organisations drawing on a wide range of expertise from science, policy and practice. The Assessment draws together the Inquiry’s findings and clearly demonstrates the value of healthy peatlands to society, the damage which has been done to them, and the huge liability of doing nothing to repair this damage. Click for Summary of findings. 

It is of great concern that the Inquiry found that much of the UK’s peatlands have been damaged, with severe consequences for biodiversity and valuable ecosystem services. A significant amount of carbon is leaking into the atmosphere from drained and deteriorating peatlands.

This is particularly alarming as a loss of only 5% of the carbon stored in peat would equate to the UK’s total annual green house gas emissions. On the other hand, healthy peatlands and those that have been restored and enhanced can make a positive contribution to tackling climate change.

The Inquiry identified a clear strategy for action to bring our peatlands back from the brink, and points the way forward to avoid the social and environmental costs of further deterioration.

This report makes clear the multiple benefits of peatland conservation and restoration, particularly in relation to carbon savings, cleaner drinking water, wildlife conservation and historic archive preservation.

 

The Commission of Inquiry was led by the IUCN UK Peatland Programme and managed through partnership. A wide range of sectors engaged in the production of scientific reviews and responded to an open consultation process. The Inquiry process was supported by discussions at the two IUCN UK Peatland Programme conferences ‘Investing in Peatlands: the Climate Challenge’ in Durham, 2010, and ‘Investing in Peatlands: Delivering Multiple Benefits’ in Stirling, 2011, along with contributions of written and oral evidence from the inquiry open event in Edinburgh in November 2010, organised with kind support of the University of Edinburgh. Land management organisations have been closely involved in the Inquiry, and opportunities were given to those with practical peatland management experience to input to the findings.

Painting of a river in spate: Peter Graham 1866, 'A spate in the highlands'
Call for proposals for Water Research Seminar SeriesThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme and the Environment Agency are delighted to announce a series of…
'Work in progress' sign with a digger on it next to two photographs of children drawing on large sheets of paper
The Power of the Peat Bogs! How pupils turned their environmental education into a song Primary school pupils who have engaged with a project to restore ancient peatland and traditional…
SWPP award
South West Peatland Partnership awarded gold by Global Good AwardsThe South West Peatland Partnership won a Gold award at the Global Good Awards for their work…
Exterior view of Virtual Peatland Pavilion showing four large domes in a desert landscape
Seeking content for the COP29 Virtual Peatland PavilionThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme and Global Peatlands Initiative are seeking new content for an…
UK Peatland Strategy
New report celebrates UK peatland restoration – but climate and nature targets still at riskAnalysis reveals 250,000 hectares of peatland restoration activity over 30 years – way short of the…
Peatland at Inshriach, Allt a’ Mharcaidh
Largest ever gathering of UK peatland experts to celebrate ‘Peatlands, People and Nature’ in the Cairngorms National ParkAviemore in the Cairngorms National Park is to play host to the UK’s largest gathering of peatland…
Landscape of mountains and forest
View the full programme for #PeatConf24 and book your tickets now!The full programme for the IUCN UK Peatland Programme 2024 conference ‘Peatlands, People and Nature…
CivTech in white writing with blue background and outlines of scales, lightbulb and book
CivTech challenge invites ideas for Peatland Code and Woodland Carbon CodeProposals are being invited for the Scottish Government's CivTech Challenge 10.6 to use technology…
Talla Gameshope image
Changes to UK Land Carbon Registry feesFrom 1 November 2024, the fees charged to issue and convert units on the UK Land Carbon Registry…
Peatland with mountains on the background
Scottish peatland recognised as globally important by UNESCO World Heritage Site designation The Flow Country in the north of Scotland, Europe's largest expanse of blanket bog, has been…
Brown butterfly with black spots on pink bell shaped flower
New species showcase - large heathOur latest species showcase introduces the large heath butterfly, its association with two iconic…
Haresfoot cottongrass with blue sky in the background. Credit Laurie Campbell SNH
New briefing addresses the peatlands and methane debateThe IUCN UK Peatland Programme has launched a new briefing “Peatlands and Methane” that summarises…