Natural England

19 November 2007

‘We must protect and enhance our upland peat bogs - they are the UK’s most important and vulnerable carbon store’ was the message from Natural England at this year’s Moors for the Future conference in the Peak District on Monday 19 November.

Over 10 billion tonnes of carbon is estimated to be stored in UK soils, over half of which is in peat, equivalent to around a year and a half of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Sir Martin Doughty, Chair of Natural England, said: “Evidence shows that the degradation of soils through over-grazing, fires, drainage and erosion is releasing five times more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every year than from all domestic flights in the UK. Peat soils contain significant amounts of carbon and, if damaged, can become a major source of emissions.

Improving the management of our upland peat bogs alone could reduce our carbon emissions by up to 400,000 tonnes per year. Natural England is encouraging land managers and politicians to recognise the vital role that protecting and enhancing peat bogs can play in reducing our carbon footprint.”

Top facts

• There is more carbon stored in the UK’s peat than in all the forests of Britain and France combined.
• Carbon dioxide emissions from soils totalled 13.69 million tonnes in 2005. By comparison, carbon dioxide emissions from domestic aviation was 2.47 million tonnes.
• All of the peatlands in England and Wales would absorb around 41,000 tonnes of carbon a year if in a pristine condition but could emit up to 381,000 tonnes of carbon a year if they are damaged by practices such as excessive burning, drainage and over-grazing.
• The restoration and enhancement of peatlands could save around 400,000 tonnes a year, which is equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions from 1.1 billion car miles or 84,000 family-sized cars.
• Peat land landscapes are also important habitats for up to 5,000 species of plants and animals such as Sphagnum mosses and cotton grasses, adders, oyster catchers and short-eared owls.