Peatland fires in the United Kingdom have released an estimated 800,000 tonnes of carbon over the past two decades, with emissions set to rise dramatically as global temperatures increase, a new study has revealed. If the planet warms by just 2°C, emissions from these fires could surge by at least 60%, reaching an annual average of 3.8 million tonnes of carbon, according to findings published in Environmental Research Letters.
The study highlights the severe environmental impact of peatland fires, equating the projected emissions increase to those produced annually by 133 commercial aircraft, 820,800 passenger vehicles, or 414,000 homes.
Peatlands, a type of wetland, cover about 9% of the UK’s land area and are among the world’s most effective carbon sinks. In a healthy state, they absorb more than three million tonnes of CO₂ annually. However, when these ecosystems burn, they release vast amounts of stored carbon, contributing significantly to atmospheric greenhouse gases.
Unlike wildfires in forests, which primarily burn vegetation, peatland fires consume soil organic carbon, with burn depths ranging from 1 to 5 kg/cm² in pristine peatlands and up to 25 kg/cm² in drained peatlands. This deep burning makes peatland fires harder to control and more damaging in terms of carbon emissions.
Drought and Land Management Fueling More Frequent Fires
Researchers analyzed peatland fire-driven carbon losses from 2001 to 2022, using high-resolution data on peatland extent, vegetation type, soil moisture, and fire occurrences. Their findings show a strong correlation between prolonged dry conditions and increased fire activity.
The study revealed that peatland fires have contributed up to 90% of the UK’s annual fire-driven carbon emissions since 2001, with notable spikes in particularly dry years. Alarmingly, the UK’s wildfire season has also lengthened dramatically between 2011 and 2016, it lasted one to four months, but from 2017 to 2021, it stretched to six to nine months.
Lead researcher Adam Pellegrini from the University of Cambridge’s Department of Plant Sciences warned that peatland fires will continue to worsen without urgent intervention.
“We found that peatland fires are responsible for a disproportionately large amount of the carbon emissions caused by UK wildfires, and climate change will only amplify this trend,” Pellegrini said.
To mitigate these emissions, scientists stress the importance of rewetting peatlands a process that restores drained wetlands by raising the water table, making it harder for fires to ignite.
With climate models predicting more frequent droughts and heatwaves, experts urge policymakers to prioritize peatland restoration and fire prevention strategies. Conservationists argue that protecting these fragile ecosystems is critical not only for carbon sequestration but also for biodiversity preservation and water regulation.
Unless swift action is taken, researchers warn that the UK’s peatlands once a vital climate ally could become an accelerating source of emissions, pushing the world further toward climate instability.