From Use to Restoration. We’re Ready to Start Wetland Recovery While Peat Extraction Continues

At the Growing Media Producers Association (ATGA), we’re proposing a more responsible approach to peatland use. Instead of waiting until extraction is fully completed, we believe restoration can begin in phases – alongside ongoing operations.

This model is already in use in other countries and could help Lithuania reduce greenhouse gas emissions sooner and more effectively.

We see that the peat industry today is no longer focused solely on raw material extraction. Most of our sector is now dedicated to producing growing media for horticulture, and sustainability has become a key principle.

“Peatlands can be both used and restored. Our responsibility is to restore the natural wetland conditions in areas we’ve used, but we’re also looking for ways to start that process earlier. Phased restoration could help lower CO₂ emissions, and in some cases, even support carbon capture,” says Giedrius Kavaliauskas, Executive Director of ATGA.

Currently, peat extraction in Lithuania covers less than 14,000 hectares just about 2% of the country’s total peatland area. What’s more, peat is no longer used for energy in Lithuania. All extracted material now goes to plant-based applications.

In Germany, Sphagnum moss – a native wetland plant – is being cultivated in rewetted peat fields. This not only helps restore damaged ecosystems but also creates a renewable material for use in growing media.

“Sphagnum has been cultivated for over a decade in Germany not only in former peat fields but also in dedicated wetland farms. These projects reduce CO₂ emissions and produce up to 8 tonnes of dry biomass per hectare. That makes them both ecologically and economically viable. We see this as an inspiring model for Lithuania – where the goal is not only to use nature but also to restore it,” adds G. Kavaliauskas.

Environmental responsibility and carbon emissions are now central concerns in our sector, especially in growing media production. Our members are already looking at how phased restoration could become part of scientific research and pilot projects here in Lithuania.

Many areas, especially those that have been drained or partially used, could support such initiatives, but we need clearer legal and technical guidelines to move forward.

Right now, the law requires that restoration only begins after the full site is extracted. We believe this approach needs to change.

“Restoration can happen step by step even if extraction is still ongoing in adjacent areas. This approach lowers overall emissions. And if we create conditions for Sphagnum to grow, we could even absorb more carbon than we emit,” explains Kavaliauskas.

Studies show that restored wetlands can absorb 2 to 5 tons of CO2 per hectare per year, depending on location and management. Germany’s experience shows that we don’t need to wait until a site is fully used to begin bringing nature back.

Wetland restoration is part of the EU’s climate strategy, and peatlands are recognized as an important natural carbon sink. We believe Lithuania can become a strong example of how industry can be part of the climate solution.

“It’s not just about how much peat we use – it’s about how we use it. Responsible management means restoration, innovation, and cooperation with the scientific community,” Kavaliauskas concludes.

Many Lithuanian producers already use alternative materials such as wood fiber, perlite, coconut coir, bark compost, and sapropel helping reduce the share of peat in growing media while keeping quality high.