To reduce the peat industry's impact on climate, a research and innovation project "PeatTransform" has been launched at the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, aimed at providing scientifically based solutions for transforming Latvia's peat industry from a significant emission source to a climate-neutral sector by 2050.
The project is a joint initiative of Latvian scientists and the peat industry, aimed at ensuring this transition is realistic, based on research and innovation, while taking into account biodiversity conservation goals and socioeconomic factors, especially in regions where the peat industry plays a significant role – Kurzeme, Latgale, Vidzeme and Zemgale.
The project aims to create a research platform and center of excellence that will strengthen research capacity and scientists' competencies, promote knowledge and technology transfer to Latvia's peat industry and related sectors, and expand international cooperation in research on sustainable use of natural resources.
The research directions of the "PeatTransform" project for promoting climate neutrality in the peat industry include:
- research on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, including their measurement, modeling and calculation improvements, to more accurately reflect actual emissions in the peat industry in the national GHG inventory,
- reclamation and sustainable further use of degraded peatlands and historical peat extraction sites, developing innovative solutions such as paludiculture cultivation (medicinal plants and biomass crops), hydrological stabilization methods and agrovoltaic solutions where solar panels are combined with plantations; simultaneously, the impact of reclamation will be forecast and its effectiveness monitored using remote sensing methods,
- development of new products with low carbon footprint and high added value, including extracts, composite materials, thermal insulation and 3D printing materials, as well as growing substrates using alternative local raw materials – moss, reeds, wood fiber and wool; in parallel, product life cycle analysis will be conducted,
- development of new technologies that reduce GHG emissions and increase carbon sequestration in peat products, as well as research on repeated and secondary use of peat substrates,
- socioeconomic assessment, analyzing peat extraction and processing, local and export consumption, as well as the impact of degraded peatland reclamation on regional development,
- development of future development scenarios for the use of historical and reclaimed peat extraction sites, including socioeconomic evaluation of peatland restoration, development of sustainability guidelines and recommendations for implementing carbon and biodiversity credits,
- preparation of recommendations for improving sector policy to promote sustainable and balanced use of natural resources.
The Institute of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Engineering is responsible for coordinating the creation of project demonstration sites and industry involvement, working purposefully with peat producers and industry representatives. During the preparation phase, negotiations took place with peat extraction companies, during which agreements were reached on cooperation principles, data availability and the creation of demonstration sites. Such close cooperation ensures that the solutions developed in the project are practically applicable and meet the real needs of the industry.
Within the framework of the project, several demonstration sites have already been identified and planned, which will serve as practical examples of implementing scientifically based solutions in peat extraction and territory revitalization processes. In particular, demonstration sites are planned where it will be shown how groundwater level regulation during peat extraction affects the hydrological regime, greenhouse gas emissions and the surrounding environment.
At the same time, demonstrations will be implemented in the study aimed at reducing nutrient and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) leaching both in active peat extraction areas and in restored peatlands. These solutions will help improve surface water quality and reduce pollution load on water ecosystems. In addition to creating practical demonstrations, a comprehensive monitoring plan is being developed that will include observations of hydrological, hydrochemical and ecosystem indicators at demonstration sites. Simultaneously, a greenhouse gas (GHG) emission measurement methodology is being created to ensure comparable and scientifically based data on the impact of peat extraction and peatland restoration on GHG emissions. The planned measurements will allow evaluation of the impact of different management scenarios on emission dynamics and will provide a significant contribution to assessing the achievement of climate policy goals.
Meanwhile, researchers from the Institute of Soil and Plant Sciences have begun peat data inventory and evaluation of related policy to create a reliable basis for comparing peat use with renewable alternative substrates. Data is being compiled on peat deposits, their condition and use, while identifying key data gaps. So far, approximately 5% of the materials available to the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre have been evaluated.
Based on the obtained data, an analytical framework is being created in the project for comparing peat with renewable alternative solutions, taking into account resource availability, use efficiency and potential for CO₂ emission reduction, to identify the most sustainable peat replacement solutions.
Researchers are also improving the methodology for determining peat substrate properties, paying special attention to humus substances – humic acids and fulvic acids – fractions. Standardized chemical extraction and spectroscopy methods are being applied, which allow comparable assessment of organic matter fractions and their degree of decomposition in different bog type conditions, ensuring practically usable and scientifically based results.
This approach ensures a close link between fundamental research and practical application, promoting sustainable management of peat resources, development of circular economy and scientifically based policy decision-making in wetland and peat extraction regions.
PeatTransform is implemented by LVMI "Silava" (lead partner), Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, University of Latvia, Riga Technical University, Institute for Environmental Solutions, Institute of Horticulture, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Economics from September 10, 2025 to September 30, 2029, with European Union and Latvian state co-financing of 5,588,265 EUR.
