Natural England

‘We must protect and enhance our upland peat bogs - they are the UK’s most important and vulnerable carbon store’ is 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”.

A new mini documentary about upland peat bogs in the Peak District will be shown at the conference. The film includes interviews with Natural England’s climate change specialists and Sir Martin, and highlights some of the land management techniques already being used by land managers, with support from Natural England, to safeguard and restore peatland, with the aim of turning degraded areas back into ‘carbon sinks’ which absorb and retain greenhouse gases.

Dr Tom Tew, Chief Scientist for Natural England, will chair the conference and David Thompson, Natural England’s climate change specialist, will speak about the role of land managers as carbon managers.

Copies of the film and speeches are available on request from Natural England’s press office.

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For further information contact Natural England’s national press office on: 0845 603 9953 or out of hours: 07970 098005. email: press@naturalengland.org.uk

Notes to editors:

1. Top facts:

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.

2. Land managers can contribute to mitigating greenhouse gas emissions by:

• strengthening carbon sinks;
• reducing damaging practices (such as deforestation);
• taking-up management that will help enhance carbon storage (such as afforestation and less intensive agriculture); and
• replacing fossil fuels with bio-energy materials.

3. Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.

For further information about Natural England please visit: www.naturalengland.org.uk