The clock is ticking for England's dwindling peatlands, which hold over half of the nation's terrestrial carbon stores, yet thousands of hectares lie degraded and dry due to centuries of agricultural drainage. A new £47m injection of government funding aims to safeguard these vital ecosystems, but experts warn it's a drop in the ocean when compared to the scale of the problem.
Peat soils in England hold over half of the nation's terrestrial carbon stores, making them a powerful natural defence against climate change. However, approximately 80% of these peatlands have been left in a degraded and dry state by agricultural drainage. This degradation leads to the decomposition of organic matter, releasing stored carbon into the atmosphere and contributing to global warming.
The £47m funding package will be distributed across three schemes: the Lowland Peat Water Implementation Grant (£36 million), the Paludiculture and Wetter Farming Fund (£10 million), and the Peatland Restoration Sector Capacity Grant (£1.15 million). Previous pilot projects in areas like the Fens and Somerset Levels have shown that raising water tables can protect peat soils while managing flood risks, making this a vital investment for England's rural communities.
The Paludiculture and Wetter Farming Fund will support research into cultivating crops on wetter peat soils, alongside developing markets for innovative products like plant-based building materials. Trials have demonstrated the potential for new income streams for farms while cutting emissions from peat soils. Nature Minister Mary Creagh highlighted the importance of peatlands, stating they are "vital to the U.K. as the Amazon rainforest is to Brazil" but many are degraded and releasing carbon.