Peat Burning

Thank you for contacting me about peat burning. 

The impact of rotational burning of vegetation on blanket bog continues to be hotly debated by academics, scientists, land managers and everybody involved on all sides. I know, however, that healthy peatlands have an important role to play in cutting greenhouse gas emissions and helping the UK reach its net zero target, so I am pleased that £640 million has been committed through the Nature for Climate Fund to restore 35,000 hectares of England’s peatland by 2025. 

I agree that restoring and better managing our peatlands is absolutely essential for nature recovery and tackling climate change. I know that the Committee on Climate Change has highlighted the particular need to restore blanket bogs. For that reason, Ministers are committed to publishing an English peat strategy that sets out the direction for restoration, protection and sustainable management.                

Unfortunately, due to other parliamentary business, I was unable to attend the recent debate on peatland burning, but I will continue to follow this issue closely.  

Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.