Not long ago, peat was still used in Lithuania as an industrial energy source. Today, that chapter is closed. Since 2023, members of the Growing Media Producers Association (ATGA) have fully phased out production of peat for energy. This decision reflects not only rising environmental expectations but also a strategic, long-term commitment to sustainability and responsibility.
In Lithuania, peat extraction is carried out only in industrial fields established several decades ago – often on land that had already been drained and ecologically degraded. No new natural peatlands are being opened for extraction.
Peat is becoming an increasingly critical raw material in the production of growing media for horticulture, floriculture, forestry, and mushroom cultivation. As Lithuania positions itself as a reliable supplier of high-quality substrates, the sector faces key questions: How can climate impact be minimized? How can emissions be accurately assessed? And how can environmental objectives be balanced with the needs of professional plant production and green infrastructure?
Peat, as a strategically important resource, remains essential – both today and into the future. Peat-based products can support specific goals of the European Green Deal, such as ecosystem restoration and carbon sequestration, when sourced and applied responsibly. These include building sustainable and safe food systems under the Farm to Fork Strategy, supporting biodiversity through the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, and promoting the restoration of abandoned and post-extraction peatlands – thereby enhancing carbon sequestration and ecosystem resilience. Peat-based media also contribute to urban greening and support the EU Forest Strategy goal of planting 3 billion additional trees by 2030.
Peat-based growing media remain irreplaceable in producing high-quality seedlings and planting materials – for reforestation, urban greening, and sustainable agriculture. While green composts and alternative materials are being introduced where suitable, they often lack the uniformity, hygiene, and structural reliability required for professional applications – particularly in intensive seedling cultivation, ornamental plant production, and forest nurseries.
Trends are clear: growing media are gaining significance with the rise of urban greening, controlled environment agriculture, and transformations in global food systems. At the same time, there is increasing pressure to find sustainable alternatives. This demands leadership and science-based decision-making.
Transparency is no longer optional. From CO₂ emissions accounting to peatland restoration, every stage of the value chain must be measurable and accountable. Today, sustainability means taking responsibility from resource extraction to end use – and beyond. In this context, sustainability is not a slogan, but a long-term strategy built on evidence, collaboration, and real action.
