To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail (i) the estimated area of peatlands that could be restored in Northern Ireland; and (ii) the estimated impact on atmospheric carbon that would result from this.

Peat soils cover 18% of Northern Ireland, with semi-natural peatland covering approximately 12% of the land area. Most of Northern Irelands’ peatland has been impacted by anthropogenic activities and are considered degraded and in poor condition, emitting significant amounts of stored carbon.

DAERA are working with partners to develop a Northern Ireland Peatbase Map of peatland GHG emissions and peat degradation which will inform the development of a framework which will identify peatlands for restoration. This is an example of a range of nature based initiatives currently being scoped by DAERA officials to deliver the Department’s dual objectives to deliver net zero and restore biodiversity.

The UK’s peatlands are estimated to be emitting approximately 23 Mt CO2e yr-1 of GHG emissions. Widespread and ongoing peat restoration across the UK has contributed to a reduction in total emissions with current peat restoration initiatives estimated to deliver over 4 Mt CO2e yr-1 of emissions reductions by 2050.