Peat-based compost banned from 2024

Peat-based compost banned from 2024

Posted on Sep 06, 2022 by jsw  | Tags: Peat, Climate Change

Image (Lukas - Pixabay)

After many years of campaigning, the government has banned the sale of peat-based compost for private gardens and allotments.

CPRE has long been warning of the severe environmental damage from selling peat in commercial compost, and after a consultation where over 95% of the public backed the ban, the government has finally conceded the case.  See https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/aug/27/englands-gardeners-to-be-banned-from-using-peat-based-compost for more on this story.

We have raised awareness of the beauty of bogs, the vital importance of peatlands for our climate, and the urgent need to protect them – with just 13% of peatlands left in a perfect state.

Peatlands across the UK remain severely degraded, and from flooding to food security, the climate emergency still poses a grave threat to the countryside.

This victory is a huge step forward for what have been dubbed the ‘UK’s rainforests’, and their tremendous potential to lock up carbon at this critical time.

However, there is more to be done and we are now urging the government to end the sale of peat for professional use by 2025, and to commit to a more urgent and sustained programme to restore this precious habitat.

If you want to read more about the value of peatland for nature, climate and the countryside, read CPRE’s bog blog here.