Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Peatland: Energy Infrastructure

Tuesday 13 October 2026 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister acknowledges the importance of peatland in carbon storage and water management.
  • Government has announced 47 million to restore peatlands and works with DEFRA and Natural England to balance clean energy and environmental protection.
  • Minister agrees to consider minimising environmental impacts of energy projects on sensitive areas like marshland and sites of special scientific interest.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Josh Fenton-Glynn
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP is concerned about the impact of energy infrastructure construction on peatland, a vital habitat for biodiversity and a significant carbon store. Peatland stores 3 billion tonnes of carbon, equivalent to all the carbon stored by forests in the UK, Germany, and France combined.

Question

I am concerned about the potential impact of constructing energy infrastructure on peatland on the climate. Peatland stores 50% of the country's soil carbon and building on it releases carbon. Will the Minister look at cases of siting wind farms and other energy projects on peatland to ensure consistency across the board?

Answer from Katie White

We recognise the value of peat in storing carbon and water, and we have announced £47 million to restore peatlands. There is national policy guidance, but we are working with DEFRA and Natural England to improve the interaction to deliver clean energy while protecting the natural environment. I will follow up with the Department to ensure policy options are reviewed.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not commit to reviewing specific cases of siting wind farms and other energy projects on peatland.

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Q2 Josh Fenton-Glynn
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP is concerned about the impact of energy infrastructure construction on peatland, a vital habitat for biodiversity and a significant carbon store. Peatland stores 3 billion tonnes of carbon, equivalent to all the carbon stored by forests in the UK, Germany, and France combined.

Question

Peatland stores 50% of the country's soil carbon and building on it releases carbon. Will the Minister look at cases of siting wind farms and other energy projects on peatland to ensure consistency across the board?

Answer from Katie White

We recognise the value of peat in storing carbon and water, and we have announced £47 million to restore peatlands. There is national policy guidance, but we are working with DEFRA and Natural England to improve the interaction to deliver clean energy while protecting the natural environment. I will follow up with the Department to ensure policy options are reviewed.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not commit to reviewing specific cases of siting wind farms and other energy projects on peatland.

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Q3 Roger Gale Con North Thanet
Environment
Context

The MP is concerned about the impact of energy infrastructure construction on marshland, which is a site of special scientific interest and a significant habitat for biodiversity.

Question

We do not have an abundance of peatland in east Kent, but we do have acres of wonderful marshland and sites of special scientific interest. Will the Minister look at the environmental impact of siting energy projects on these areas?

Answer from Katie White

Everything we do has an environmental impact, but clearly we want to make sure that we minimise the environmental impact of any infrastructure that we build. I cannot comment on any individual planning application, but I take the point on looking to minimise the environmental impacts of any of our clean energy infrastructure in all places.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not commit to reviewing specific cases of siting energy projects on marshland and sites of special scientific interest.

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