Horticulture industry sets out timetable to remove peat altogether
The government has announced a ban on sales of peat to gardeners in England by 2024 to achieve its goal of bringing greenhouse gas emissions to zero overall – net zero – by 2050.
The Horticultural Trades Association, National Farmers’ Union, Garden Centre Association (GCA), Growing Media Association and Royal Horticultural Society have also pledged to remove peat from the retail market by the end of 2028 at the latest. A ban on sales of peat for professional horticulture is expected between 2028 and 2030.
Funding to restore 35,000 hectares of peatlands will take place during the next four years. That covers only about one per cent of the UK’s total peatlands. They store three times as much carbon as forests, so they play a vital role in climate change. However, peatlands damaged by draining or farming leak carbon, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. On a similar note, read about Empathy rootgrow – fighting climate change below ground. Read about Coco & Coir’s Peat-Free gardening compost.
Carbon emissions
It is estimated that only one-fifth of the UK’s 2.6 million hectares of peat is in good condition. The habitat – moorland, bogs to agricultural lowland, could give off 23 million tonnes of carbon emissions a year.
In the UK, peatlands have been acting as carbon sinks for at least 10,000 years. They help to reduce flooding and improve water quality. They are also a habitat for rare species like golden plover, red grouse, skylark and the peat builders, sphagnum mosses.
The GCA said: “There is a need to assist gardeners in making the transition from peat-based growing media. We believe this is possible by 2025, subject to the availability of quality peat-free composts to meet consumer demand.
‘Challenge for the manufacturers’
“We understand the challenge for the manufacturers, which will be to find sufficient quantities of the right materials necessary to replace peat so that quality growing media is available to everyone.
“Growers will need a level playing field with imported plants and material support from the government will be absolutely vital, for both to be achieved. Gardening is a force for good in the population’s mental and physical health and, also, for the environment.
“The more people that are involved in gardening, the more they are aware first-hand of the changes happening in the climate and, so, are more likely to respond positively to adjust the way they live.”
The GCA represents nearly 200 garden centres nationwide. For further information, visit www.gca.org.uk.
