PeatTransform: Supporting the Transition of the Peat Sector towards Climate Neutrality in Latvia

Peatlands play a key role in climate regulation, biodiversity, and regional development, yet drained and degraded peatlands are also major sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and a priority within current European Union climate and restoration policies. In Latvia, drained organic soils account for more than half of net LULUCF emissions, while the country remains one of Europe’s leading peat producers. National GHG inventories still rely largely on default emission factors and limited field data, resulting in a limited understanding of how hydrology, restoration, and land-use history influence emissions.

PeatTransform is a newly launched interdisciplinary research project supporting the transition of Latvia’s peat sector towards climate neutrality. The project integrates closely linked research themes, including improved GHG emission calculation methods for managed peatlands based on nationally specific emission factors and enhanced data acquisition, and the testing of restoration approaches at experimental and demonstration sites to quantify GHG mitigation potential and biodiversity responses. In parallel, the project develops climate-neutral technologies and products like peat substitutes and carbon-storing materials. Socio-economic impacts of peat extraction and processing are assessed to inform long-term transition scenarios up to 2050.

A central component of PeatTransform is the co-development of science-based recommendations for Latvia’s national policy framework. The project works closely with stakeholders, including public authorities and the peat industry, to translate research results into practical guidance for peatland restoration, land-use planning, emission reduction and just transition strategies.

Project PeatTransform – “Research and Innovation Based Solutions to Support the Peat Sector’s Transition to a Climate Neutral Economy, Promoting the Sustainable Use of Latvia’s Natural Resources” is implemented under the European Union Cohesion Policy Programme for 2021–2027, Specific Objective 6.1.1 “Mitigation of the economic, social and environmental impacts of the transition to climate neutrality in the most affected regions”, Measure 6.1.1.2 “Research development for the sustainable use of natural resources related to environmental and climate goals” with co-funding from the European Union and the State Budget of Latvia (6.1.1.2/1/25/A/001).