New Research Explains Why Innovative Funding Schemes are Essential for Sustainable Peatland Management

Peatlands are one of Ireland’s most important natural ecosystems, providing vital services such as carbon storage, water regulation, biodiversity support, and cultural heritage. However, a major new research study, commissioned by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and led by University College Dublin (UCD), warns that without long-term funding and clear policy direction, the health and sustainability of Irish peatlands remain at risk.

Why Peatlands Matter

Healthy peatlands provide a range of ecosystem services:

• Improved air and water quality
• Climate regulation through carbon storage
• Flood control and water retention
• Biodiversity and cultural value

As Ireland seeks to meet its national and EU targets on climate, biodiversity, soil, and water, protecting and restoring peatlands is essential.

Ireland’s Role in Global Peatland Conservation

Ireland holds a disproportionately high share of Europe’s peatlands, making it a critical actor in global peatland conservation efforts. Though small in landmass, Ireland’s peatlands represent a significant store of soil carbon and biodiversity, making their protection essential for achieving both EU Green Deal goals and global climate targets under the Paris Agreement and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.

By synthesising over 20 years of research and producing a policy roadmap, the Peat Hub Ireland (PHI) project places Ireland at the forefront of science-based restoration efforts. The project also positions Ireland to contribute meaningfully to international forums focused on climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable land use.

What the Research Found

The Peat Hub Ireland (PHI) project synthesised over 20 years (2000–2023) of Irish peatland research to support sustainable peatland management. This involved reviewing peer-reviewed literature, grey literature, and expert stakeholder knowledge to provide a comprehensive overview of what’s known, what’s missing, and what’s needed.

Key Findings:

• 71 research gaps were identified, half of which are high-priority.
• 96 priority actions were recommended across climate, biodiversity, governance, policy, and community engagement.
• Long-term funding mechanisms and financial support for local communities are critical.
• Existing policies must be backed by effective implementation and monitoring.

Four Strategic Recommendations

The PHI project outlines four pillars for future peatland policy and practice:

1. Accountability: Improved governance, clear policy implementation, and regulatory enforcement.
2. Long-Term Funding: Dedicated financial schemes to support restoration, long-term monitoring, and carbon/biodiversity credit programmes.
3. Equity: Support for community-led peatland management, training, and inclusion in decision-making.
4. Holistic Knowledge: Open, participatory science and collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and civil society.

These recommendations are designed to support evidence-based decisions, enhance cross-sector cooperation, and provide financial and practical support to communities living near peatlands.

Financial Schemes: A Key Driver of Sustainability

The report highlights the importance of recurrent funding for:

• Implementing restoration policies
• Conducting long-term monitoring, which currently lacks adequate funding
• Supporting carbon, water, and biodiversity credit schemes to incentivise sustainable land use

Such schemes would allow businesses, individuals, and organisations to invest directly in land management and restoration, helping to scale up national efforts to meet climate and biodiversity goals.

Paludiculture: Farming Wet Peatlands Sustainably

One emerging solution for balancing land use and restoration is paludiculture, the cultivation of crops on rewetted peat soils. Rather than abandoning drained lands entirely, farmers can shift to producing commercially viable wetland crops such as:

• Sphagnum moss (used in horticulture)
• Reed canary grass (for bioenergy or animal bedding)
• Cattails and bulrushes (for insulation materials or bioplastics)

Adopting paludiculture could provide economic continuity for farmers, reduce emissions from degraded bogs, and retain rural population levels. However, to scale up, it will require investment in research, market development, and training support.

Supporting Communities and Knowledge Sharing

The PHI project produced several open-access tools for stakeholders:

• A Peatland Glossary
• Ten factsheets summarising thematic areas
• An open-source database
• A policy brief outlining actionable recommendations

These resources aim to empower communities, researchers, and NGOs by making scientific knowledge more accessible and practical.

Why This Matters Now

Ireland’s peatlands are at a tipping point. Without strategic investment and inclusive policies, the potential benefits of peatlands, from carbon savings to cultural heritage, could be lost. The study urges the government to create a long-term national management plan, backed by financial frameworks that support both designated and non-designated peatlands.

Conclusion: A National Priority for Climate and Biodiversity

The future of Irish peatlands depends on how quickly and effectively we act. This EPA-supported research provides a roadmap for action, underpinned by science and built on two decades of Irish expertise. Long-term funding, community engagement, and accountable governance are essential to secure the ecological, climate, and social value of these critical ecosystems.

Call to Action

• Policymakers: Use the PHI project’s recommendations to enforce regulations and develop long-term funding strategies.
• Researchers: Address high-priority gaps through interdisciplinary, open science.
• Communities & NGOs: Leverage the new knowledge base to shape and lead local peatland initiatives.

Together, we can ensure that Ireland’s peatlands continue to thrive as climate allies, biodiversity reservoirs, and cultural landscapes for generations to come.

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