DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has launched Northern Ireland’s first Peatland Strategy setting out a pathway for peatland conservation and restoration over the next 15 years. The strategy, which has been approved by the Executive, runs to 2040 and has been developed to reflect and respond to the twin challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change.

The Peatland Strategy sets out 5 main objectives for protecting this key ecosystem through to 2040:

1. Peatland Conservation, Restoration and Management
2. Policy Alignment
3. Capacity Building and Research
4. Knowledge Sharing, Communication and Access
5. Governance, Implementation and Funding

Implementation of the strategy will play an important role in the Department’s work in relation to biodiversity conservation, climate change and the wider Green Growth agenda.

Minister Muir said: “I am delighted that we have now published our first Peatland Strategy, which should mark a turning point for how these precious habitats are protected, restored and managed.  We must embrace the power of peatlands as a nature-based solution to tackle the nature and climate crisis and improve water quality.