wise use of mires and peatlands - Peatland Ecology Research Group

212 APPENDIX 63.8 Was the decision to exploit taken on the basis of cost-benefit analysis4. Conditions under which peat is extracted4.1 Were both the peatland development and the construction of the facility inaccordance with national land-use planning laws and regulations4.2 Are the peatland operation and the facility operation licensed. Are both operatedin accordance with the licence conditions4.3 Do both enterprises operate environmental management systems4.4.1 Is every effort made to preserve the ecological processes necessary for thesurvival of species4.4.2 Does the enterprise seek to ensure, where possible, that any loss or damagecaused by extraction is reversible4.5 Does the peatland enterprise- prevent- control- reduce- repair or- compensate forany damage consequent on peat extraction4.6 Does it bear the cost of these measures4.7 Does the peatland enterprise seek to adapt its extraction processes to the naturalcharacteristics and constraints of the mire or peatland4.8 Does the peatland enterprise have a policy of using the latest available technologyto minimise environmental impact5. Social and environmental responsibility5.1 Has the peatland enterprise balanced its peat extraction by compensatoryconservation measures such as setting aside and preserving pristine mires5.2 Do the benefits of the operation accrue to a large number of people and not aprivileged few. For example- do the enterprises pay adequate wages,- do they give local employment,- were those with rights over land adequately compensated,- is the energy produced available to all5.3 Does the peatland enterprise have an acceptable policy on the after-use ofdegraded peatlands ensuring that, when production has ceased, the enterpriserestores the peatland to a peat accumulating ecosystem (mire) or otherenvironmentally appropriate use5.4 Do the enterprises promote knowledge and awareness of mires and peatlands5.5 Do the enterprises also promote the use of alternative energies6. Characteristics of the facilityDoes the facility use peat as efficiently as possible, using the latest technologyand minimising emissions