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IUCN Investing in Peatlands Conference a success!
In the country’s largest peatland event, UK and international peatland experts gathered for the IUCN UK Peatland Programme Conference in Inverness last month, October 2014.
The three-day Conference learn lessons from the many peatland conservation projects taking place across the UK in an effort to bring 1 million hectares of peatland into good condition. The event also heard from scientists who have been studying the benefits of peatlands for tackling climate change and helping reduce the costs of drinking water treatment.
Over the last six years the IUCN UK Peatland Programme has brought together a partnership of scientists, land managers and policy makers aimed at bringing our peatlands into good condition and this year's conference didn't disappoint!
To view the presentations from the conference (from those speakers who allowed us to share) please visit the website here.
Media Coverage of the Conference
BBC Radio Scotland Interview with Prof Mark Reed, 20th October 2014
STV News report by Nicola McAlley, interviewing experts attending the conference
Inverness hosts UK Peatland Conference
The Press and Journal, 22nd October 2014
The conference also saw the launch of IUCN Briefing Notes of Peatlands.
These briefing notes are aimed at policy makers, practitioners and academics to help explain the ecological processes that underpin peatland function. Understanding the ecology of peatlands is essential when investigating the impacts of human activity on peatlands, interpreting research findings and planning the recovery of damaged peatlands.
Written and prepared by Richard Lindsay, Richard Birnie and Jack Clough, these briefs have been produced following a major process of review and comment building on an original document: Lindsay, R. 2010 ‘Peatbogs and Carbon: a Critical Synthesis’ University of East London. published by RSPB, Sandy. To view the document online please click here.
We are grateful to Scottish Natural Heritage, Natural England, Natural Resources Wales, the Forestry Commission RSPB Scotland and the Peter de Haan Charitable Trust for funding support.
To view the Briefing Notes on our website, please click here.
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House of Lords Committee Debate on Peatlands
On Monday 8th December 2014, Lord Greaves secured a short debate on the Conservation and upkeep of peat lands in the UK in the Grand Committee of the House of Lords.
Whereas other Lords participating in the debate questioned the validity of the carbon sequestration ability of peatlands, Lord Greaves reiterated the importance of the natural ecosystem services peatlands provide and the continuing problems faced by peatlands including commercial extraction, development and continued degradation from past activity. The IUCN Peatland Programme, Lord Lindsey was also present at the debate and praised the work being done by the Moorland Forum, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Peatland Code as well as our own programme.
Lord Greaves asked the following questions of the UK Government (these are paraphrased and not exact quotes):
In relation to the Scottish Planning Policy, would the UK Government consider amending the National Planning Policy to include a similar requirement where significant development taking place on peatlands have assessment of carbon emissions a requisite as part of the planning application.
If the UK Government could give update an on the progress of the Peatland Code and the pilot phase.
Will the UK Government promote the best practice guide being updated by the John Muir Trust and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.
Upland peatlands are marked as access land and will the UK Government work closely with the Ramblers and British Mountaineer Council and similar organizations to promote better understanding of good practice in relation to peat by both walkers and managers of those areas.
Following the Statement of Intent by the four country Environment Ministers, what further progress is being made for joint action by the four countries governments.
What measures are included in the new environment grants under the Common Agricultural Policy that are replacing old environment stewardship schemes.
What measures are been taken to phase out uses of peat for horticultural or gardening uses.
What action is being taken that burning of heather moors is being done under best practice.
What progress is being made in developing a National Peatland Plan for restoring England's peatlands and when such a plan will be published.
To watch the debate please click here for the video and forward to 17:28:20 for the start of the debate
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