In a question to the Welsh Government Minister for Climate Change today, the Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy and Shadow Minister for Climate Change - Janet Finch-Saunders MS – urged the administration to “review the money and ambition of the National Peatlands Action Programme” so that further efforts can be made to lock-in carbon through biodiversity restoration.
At present, the Welsh Government has committed to around £5.75 million of funding over five years, with targets of only 600-800 hectares per annum to be restored. In contrast, and in England, the UK Government is investing £640 million to restore 35,000 hectares by 2025.
Commenting on the need to review the programme, Janet said:
“I remain steadfast in my request that Wales’s upland environments, including peatland, are adequately protected, well-managed and enhanced. Indeed, where upland peatlands are left undisturbed, we know they play an important role in storing carbon, maintaining biodiversity, and protecting against flooding.
“Whilst I welcomed the National Peatlands Action programme in Wales, which is intended to help lock in carbon and reinvigorate vital habitats, I remain concerned that the funding provided by the Welsh Government lacks ambition, with targets of only 600-800 hectares per annum to be restored.
“With Net Zero Wales recognising the importance of land use and the need for restoration works, now is the time for the devolved administration to review and increase the ambition of this programme.”
ENDS
Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS
