Context
The question arises from the need to address degraded peatlands in the UK, particularly focusing on the Somerset levels near Bath which contain a significant amount of carbon storage. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds highlights that lack of skilled contractors is an issue.
Question
What steps the Government is taking to help restore peatlands. I thank the Minister for that answer. Well-maintained peatlands are a crucial nature resource in fighting the climate crisis. The Somerset levels near Bath contain 231 square miles of peatland, storing nearly 11 million tonnes of carbon, but 80% of the UK's peatland is so degraded that it is acting as a net source of greenhouse gas emissions, doing the opposite of what it is meant to do. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds says that part of the problem is the lack of available contractors with the necessary skills and capacity to allow for rapid restoration work.
Answer from Trudy Harrison
We are increasing levels of peatland restoration through our nature for climate fund, in order to restore approximately 35,000 hectares of peatland by 2025. We have committed £33 million to restore 20,000 hectares of peatlands, with a further bidding round in 2023. In the net zero strategy, we committed to restore approximately 280,000 hectares of peatland in England by 2050.
Not addressed: The Minister did not address the specific request about increasing the number of contractors with necessary skills and capacity for rapid restoration work.
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