Brochure on sustainability - Klasmann Deilmann

Worldwide, however, more peat moss grows than is extracted. There
is an annual gain of around two billion cubic metres of Sphagnum
in pristine peatlands, whereas some 100 million cubic metres of peat
are harvested annually for commercial purposes – a ratio of 20:1.
(Source: www.bth-online.org)
The extraction of peat affects the ‘ecology’ pillar. Peat production uses
natural resources, although this takes place solely in areas that were,
under completely different circumstances, drained some decades ago.
Peat extraction is prohibited today in pristine bogland.
Impact on the climate
For some years now, peatlands, peat extraction areas and peat
production have been looked at in terms of greenhouse emissions.
Intact boglands store carbon dioxide (CO2) and release the greenhouse
gases methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). Drained peatlands
release the previously stored (CO2). Of the total annual emissions in
Germany, 0.2 % result from peat production. Restored extraction areas
can reassume the function of carbon sinks. (Source: IVG-Präsentation
“Fakten Torf”)
The question of the impact of peat extraction on climate touches on
the ‘ecology’ pillar of sustainability. This debate centres chiefly around
greenhouse gases that are released through peat production. The fact
that pristine peatlands also give off greenhouse gases is often ignored
in the debate, as these emissions are not human in origin. Nevertheless,
all aspects need to be borne in mind. Pristine peat areas are not only
climate-friendly: they also emit greenhouse gases. This is not to gloss
over the emissions caused by peat extraction, but it does help to put
them in context.
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