Wales continues to exceed its national peatland restoration target, restoring over 3,600 hectares of damaged peatland – the equivalent of more than 3,600 rugby fields – in just five years.

This nature-based climate action is estimated to deliver an emissions saving equal to taking 6,840 cars off the road.

The milestone was achieved through the National Peatland Action Programme (NPAP), funded by Welsh Government and delivered by Natural Resources Wales (NRW), alongside a wide network of local and national partners. Originally set a target of restoring 3,000 hectares by 2025, the Programme has gone 20% beyond that – reaching 3,600 hectares thanks to a fifth-year boost in delivery.

Crucially, these restored peatlands help lock in an estimated 1.92 million tonnes of stored carbon, helping to tackle the Climate and Nature emergencies.

Announcing the results at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show, Deputy First Minister, with responsibility for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, said:

“Last year I announced that we had hit our initial 5-year restoration target a year early. We have now surpassed that by restoring a total of 3,600ha over the first five years of the Programme. I would like to thank the National Peatland Action Programme and especially our delivery partners on going beyond our expectations. For the year ahead, our 6 th  year, I have committed an additional £5.2m to continue and build upon the wonderful work achieved to date, including contributing towards green job opportunities in Wales.”

Peatlands store around 30% of Wales’ land-based carbon, despite covering only 4% of the land. But around 90% are currently degraded, leaking greenhouse gases instead of storing them.

Mannon Lewis, NRW’s Strategic Projects lead for NPAP explained:

“Peatlands are one of our most powerful natural tools in the fight against climate change – but only when they’re healthy. Right now, around 90% of Wales’ peatlands are damaged, leaking carbon instead of storing it. That’s why this restoration work matters.

“In just five years, we’ve helped over 3,600 hectares begin their recovery – bringing these landscapes back to life so they can lock in carbon, support wildlife, and hold water more effectively. It’s a win for climate, for nature, and for people.”

Peatland practitioners apply over 100 intervention methods . The restoration goal is to set the land on a pathway of recovery as a functioning healthy bog or fen, forming new layers of carbon-capturing peat annually, at the rate of 1mm a year. The importance of peatland restoration is further explained in this short video , with a supporting Wales Peatland Story animation . The National Peatland Action Programme’s Fifth Year Annual Report can be found on the NPAP webpage  with past restoration activity recorded on the Wales Peatland Data Map .