Climate change action plan 2021-23

Peat Restoration
Our peat bogs are important habitats that provide
food and shelter for wildlife, help with flood
management, improve water quality and sequester
large amounts of carbon. However, most peat soils
support ecosystems that are sensitive to human activities
including drainage, grazing, liming and afforestation.
This makes them susceptible to degradation if poorly
managed in which case they can become positive
carbon emitters rather than sequesters. A 2010 report
by Natural England found that the vast majority of
peatland in England was emitting, rather than capturing
CO 2
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. Given this the Government is committed to
creating and delivering a new ambitious framework
for peat restoration in England.
Northumberland has extensive areas of peatlands
and bogs and as such has a significant role to play in
contributing to their continued restoration and
expansion. The North Pennines AONB is at the
forefront of this work via the Great North Bog
initiative and the equivalent ongoing work within the
rest of the county is now to be coordinated via a new
Northumberland Peat Partnership.
The council has also backed the Northumberland
Peat Partnership, supporting the positive management
and restoration of peatland habitats in partnership
with Northumberland Wildlife Trust, NNPA, Tweed
Forum, Natural England and the Environment Agency.
Environment Bill 2020
The Environment Bill 2020 will place a duty for a new
governance framework for the environment together
with the enhancement of green spaces, nature and
conservation will be key part of that at a local level.
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Climate Change Action Plan 2021-23