Peatlands cover just 3% of the world’s land surface but contain at least a quarter of the world’s soil carbon; potentially more than is stored in all forests globally. Harvesting peat releases this stored carbon into the atmosphere and accelerates climate change. In the UK, nearly 80% of our remaining peatlands are in a degraded condition, and that degradation is responsible for an incredible 4% of our annual greenhouse gas emissions. Destroying peatlands also destroys the fragile and unique ecosystems that depend on these wetland environments.

Most peat sold in the UK is used in compost. In recent years there have been numerous campaigns to ban horticultural peat. While some retailers and producers have voluntarily chosen to produce and sell peat-free compost and plants, there is as yet no legislation that prevents either the harvesting or the sale of peat. Peat is not an essential component of compost, and there is an increasing number of environmentally friendly alternatives. However, more than a third of all compost sold in the UK in 2021 was peat.

Peatland in Edale, Peak District
Peatland in Edale, Peak District. Photo: Andrew Davies Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-ND 2.0) flickr.com/photos/aed/5922617604
Recently cut peat blocks drying, near Lough Tana, Co. Galway
Recently cut peat blocks drying, near Lough Tana, Co. Galway. Photo: Keith Ewing via Flickr Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC 2.0) flickr.com/photos/kewing/35315468215/

Quite simply, creating green spaces and growing plants using peat compost does not enhance the environment – it harms it. Even TV gardener Monty Don has described it as “environmental vandalism.” He, and many others, are calling for a ban on horticultural peat.

What can we do to preserve peat?

First – stop buying products that contain peat. This generally includes compost, but you’ll also need to check that any plants you buy have been grown in a peat-free medium. There are a number of ways you can do this:

Organic, peat-free compost
Organic, peat-free compost. Photo: Emma Doughty Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC 2.0) flickr.com/photos/fluffymuppet/3542271306
Cold compost method
Cold compost method. Photo: Tiffany Woods, Oregon State University Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0) flickr.com/photos/oregonstateuniversity/36631551214

Second – spread the word! Anyone who has a garden, balcony, allotment or houseplants may be using peat unnecessarily, and without knowing the damage it causes. Speak with family and friends, and join the #PeatFreeApril campaign on Twitter.

Finally, support the organisations campaigning to end the sale of horticultural peat. You can sign this petition from the Wildlife Trusts, and become a member of or donate to organisations such as Plantlife, Buglife  and RSPB that are working to raise awareness of the issue. They also actively manage and conserve the UK’s remaining peatlands.

Further reading:

Banner photo: Peat dams in ditch on lowland raised bog, Rusland Valley Mosses, Cumbria © Natural England/Jacqueline Ogden. Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

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