Peatland Restoration: A Vital Environmental Initiative

Benefits of Supporting Peatland Restoration Projects

Getting involved in peatland restoration projects brings a wealth of meaningful benefits:

  • Climate Change Mitigation: Restoring peatlands helps cut down greenhouse gas emissions and boosts carbon sequestration, vital for fighting climate change. 

  • Biodiversity Conservation: Restored peatlands offer crucial habitats for many species, including rare or threatened ones, promoting biodiversity and ecosystem health.

  • Water Quality Improvement: Peatlands act as natural water filters, improving quality by trapping sediments and pollutants. Restoring these areas means cleaner water for both local communities and surrounding ecosystems. 

  • Flood Prevention: Healthy peatlands can soak up excess rainwater, helping to reduce flooding risks in nearby areas and safeguarding communities from natural disasters. 

  • Community Benefits: Many peatland restoration projects involve local communities, creating jobs and encouraging sustainable land-use practices that benefit people and the environment alike.

£109 Billion In Carbon Savings

Want to save £109 billion in carbon savings? Spending just £8-22bn on peatland restoration over the next 100 years could deliver HUGE returns.

Mosses Can Hold 20x Their Weight in Water

Peatlands + Sphagnum moss = Nature’s super sponge! These mosses can hold 20 TIMES their weight in water, preventing floods and helping ecosystems thrive. 

Peatlands are unique wetlands that store vast amounts of Carbon. Due to the characteristics of these ecosystems they help to regulate water flow and maintain biodiversity. However, if they are drained they release huge amounts of carbon dioxide. So they are important to regulate and maintain for our climate systems as they help to reabsorb CO₂. 

Peatland restoration projects focus on rewetting drained peatlands, bringing back the normal ecological and removing invasive species. 

They are one of our planets best carbon sinks, storing roughly one-third of the global soil carbon despite only covering around 3% of Earth’s surface. 

30% Of The Planet’s Soil Carbon Storage

3% of the world is covered in peatlands—but they store a staggering 30% of the planet’s soil carbon!