A consortium of Latvia’s scientific institutions is joining forces to steer the peat sector toward a sustainable and climate-neutral economy by 2050
Implementation has begun for the research 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.”
The project will support the transformation of the peat industry from a significant source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions into a climate-neutral sector of the national economy.
On the path to solutions
Peat is a significant natural resource in Latvia, providing jobs, export income, and regional competitiveness. However, peat extraction and use generate substantial greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and negatively impact peatland ecosystems.
This makes PeatTransform essential. Its aim is to enable a scientifically grounded transition of the peat sector toward climate neutrality. The project addresses complex challenges by balancing the need to reduce GHG emissions and preserve biodiversity while supporting the socio-economic role of the peat sector in Latvia’s regions.
The project’s objective is to establish a research platform and center of excellence that will strengthen research capacity, promote knowledge and technology transfer to the peat sector, and enhance international cooperation on the sustainable use of natural resources.
IES key responsibilities and contributions
Within PeatTransform, the Institute for Environmental Solutions will investigate the potential of remote sensing technologies for assessing GHG emissions, carbon stocks, and the effectiveness of peatland restoration activities. These studies will support improvements to Latvia’s national GHG emission inventory.
The main activities of IES remote sensing team include:
Enhancing GHG emission calculation methods
Remote assessment of carbon sequestration
Monitoring the effectiveness of restoration activities
Research directions for a climate neutral and sustainable peat sector
Remote sensing:
Measurements and modelling of GHG emissions; improving methodologies for the national GHG inventory.
Innovative restoration:
Developing new solutions for degraded peatland restoration, including paludiculture (cultivation of medicinal plants and biomass crops), hydrological stabilization methods, and agrovoltaic applications.
New products:
Development of low-carbon, high-value products such as bioactive extracts, composite materials, insulation materials, 3D-printing feedstocks, and growing media incorporating alternative local resources (e.g., mosses, reeds).
New technologies:
Creating technologies that reduce GHG emissions and increase carbon sequestration in peat-based products.
Socioeconomic assessment:
Evaluating the peat sector’s socioeconomic role and developing future scenarios for the use of restored sites, as well as recommendations for implementing carbon and biodiversity credits.
Sector policy:
Providing recommendations for the sustainable use of natural resources.
Projects funding and partners
Project partners are Latvian State Forest Research Institute “Silava” (leading partner), University of Latvia, Riga Technical University, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Institute for Environmental Solutions, Institute of Horticulture, and Institute of Agricultural Resources and Economics.
More information on the project can be found HERE.
European Union Cohesion Policy Programme 2021–2027, Specific Objective 6.1.1 “Mitigating the economic, social and environmental impacts of the transition to climate neutrality in the most affected regions”, Measure 6.1.1.2 “Development of research for the sustainable use of natural resources in the context of environmental and climate objectives” agreement No. 6.1.1.2/1/25/A/001
