Stichting Turfvrij Beschermt Veenmoerassen

Stichting Turfvrij is Protecting Peatbogs

Peat bogs are the rainforests of Europe because of their essential role in CO2 storage, water regulation, and unique biodiversity. The destruction of these areas contributes 5 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, more than all the emissions of the aviation industry.

This destruction is partly caused by peat extraction for use in potting soil. Private individuals use this potting soil for their houseplants, filling plant pots, sowing, and cuttings. The horticultural sector also grows plants in peat.

If we stop using peat for growing plants, we can contribute significantly to combating the climate crisis. In fact, if we do nothing to protect peatlands, we will be unable to stop global warming.

Our aim

Stichting Turfvrij's goal is to ban the use of peat in the Netherlands. This would be a huge milestone in the pursuit of comprehensive global protection of all peat bogs.

Peat-free potting ground

Peat-free plants

Protect peat bogs

Our story

What scientists are saying

We extract our richest carbon store directly from the ground and convert it into carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. It is absolute madness and it must stop now! Peat must remain in the ground if we are to fight the climate crisis.

Prof. Dave Goulson, University of Sussex

Peatlands cover only 3% of the Earth's surface. In contrast, forests cover 30%. This is ten times more. Everyone knows that forests are important for the climate. But peatlands are even more important because they contain more carbon than the forests. [...] It is important to protect peatlands: for their biodiversity, for the climate and for all the other ecosystem services they provide.

Prof. Hans Joosten, University of Greifswald

Through photosynthesis, plants extract carbon dioxide from the air and store it as carbon compounds such as carbohydrates. The carbon dioxide is stored as carbon in the peat. Because peat is permanently saturated with water, the carbon is not converted into greenhouse gases. It takes thousands of years to grow these meters of peat layers, but when a peat area is drained, the stored carbon dioxide is released and the process is reversed in just a few years.

Mette Risager, RAG Randers-Favrskov