The Peatland Standard for Ireland

A science-backed framework to unlock private funding for peatland restoration

Ireland’s peatlands are under severe pressure, and urgent action is needed to restore these vital ecosystems.

Private finance has a key role to play in supporting this effort. When directed responsibly, it can unlock the sustained investment needed to deliver peatland restoration at scale.

Peatland Finance Ireland works to channel this investment into high-quality restoration projects through the development and application of the Peatland Standard for Ireland. This Standard enables the creation and sale of verified ecosystem certificates, helping to connect funding with measurable environmental outcomes.

The Peatland Standard provides a robust framework for assessing the benefits of restoration, including improvements in carbon storage, water quality, biodiversity, and community outcomes. By ensuring these benefits are credible and transparent, it gives investors confidence while helping projects access essential funding.

Pilot Phase and Further Development

Peatland Finance Ireland, a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee (CLG), developed Version 1.0 of the Peatland Standard in collaboration with stakeholders across government, semi-state bodies, academia, industry, and local communities. The development has been supported by both public and private funding.

In 2026, a series of pilot projects is testing the Standard in practice. These pilots are helping to attract investment, establish reference sites, and refine the Standard’s methodologies and processes.

Approaches to quantifying ecosystem benefits will continue to evolve in the short to medium term. In particular, ongoing research and improved modelling are expected to streamline the assessment of biodiversity and water-related services, aligning with a results-based scorecard approach.

Peatland Standard Key Resources

Interested in learning more about the Peatland Standard?

  • I am a landowner or farmer

    Learn how to access payments for peatland restoration

    Find out more here

  • I am a project developer

    Access detailed documents, templates, calculators and information on how to apply.

    Find out more here

  • I am an investor

    Learn how to buy trusted ecosystem certificates with the Peatland Standard

    Find out more here

Acknowledgements

The Peatland Standard has been significantly informed by the UK Peatland Code, Valuta voor Veen, and MoorFutures. It has also benefited from the support of IUCN UK. With the kind permission of the National Trust for Scotland, many of the project plan templates are adapted from those used in the UK Peatland Code.

The Standard reflects the diversity of peatland types and land-use changes across Ireland. Its development has been supported by a collaborative and open peatland research community, enabling a broader focus on ecosystem services and co-benefits alongside emissions reductions.

The Peatland Standard aligns with the international Core Carbon Principles (CCPs) established by the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM), as well as guidance from the Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative (VCMI) on the supply and use of carbon credits.

Peatland Finance Ireland, a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee (CLG), developed the Standard with input from government, academia, civil society, communities, and industry stakeholders. The first version underwent public consultation prior to finalisation. The Peatland Standard is working towards accreditation by ICROA.