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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.

It sets out five strategic objectives and 26 actions that will help to deliver conservation, restoration and management of peatland to support greater carbon storage and improve biodiversity and water quality.

Minister Muir launched the strategy during a visit to the Belfast Hills where, alongside key stakeholders he saw the work that has been progressing to restore peatland at Divis Mountain.

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.

“Peatlands, which cover approximately 12% of Northern Ireland, are our rainforest equivalent and have enormous potential to store and sequester carbon. However, there is now widespread recognition that well managed peatlands enhance water quality, help reduce flood risk, combat climate change and provide vital habitat for threatened species such as the hen harrier, curlew and golden plover.

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