The government in 2022 banned the sale of bagged peat-based compost from 2024, which is a big step in the right direction and should save thousands of acres of peat bog in the country. Peat bog destruction causes huge amounts of CO2 emissions.
When that law was passed, the government explained that the use of peat by the professional horticultural sector would be dealt with at some point. But mysteriously last week, the government announced that following industry consultations (perhaps involving donations to the Conservative party) the use of peat would only be restricted in 2030.
This allows professional growers to continue to use peat to grow plants and mushrooms. According to data, this made up 40% of all UK peat usage in 2021.
What we can do:
😤 Rant at any available gardener or worker in your local garden centre! Question them about whether the plants you are about to buy are growing in peat-based compost, and if so, why?
🌷 Sign up to the London Wildlife Trust peat-free pledge: https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/pledge-peat-free
🌿 Love your local peat bog – 31 million tonnes of CO2 have been released by peat extraction and damage to peat bogs since 1990.
