Roadmap for the use of agricultural peatlands

Roadmap for the use of agricultural peatlands

The project produces a road map for the use of peat fields, which considers how to continue to produce food and other agricultural products on peat fields in a climate-wise and economically and socially sustainable manner. The road map takes into account the most important programs, road maps and strategies that guide the use of peat fields, and evaluates the resulting economic and land use changes as well as environmental effects by region in 2035 and 2040 until 2050.

During the work, various paths are produced for a more sustainable use of peat fields, taking into account food security goals and climate goals. In mainland Finland, the scenario paths carried out by province examine different options for the use of peat fields and evaluate their effects on the regional economy, employment and climate and water bodies.

Together with the stakeholders, a credible and realistic plan is formed on the extent to which the use of peat fields in different areas will change. At the same time, it is assessed how agricultural production and economic output as well as tax collections and employment change by province, especially in those areas where the economic and production effects are most likely to be greatest.

The project produces research-based, justified background information to support decision-making. The results support the implementation of programs and strategies and serve as a tool for guiding agricultural policy. The road map for peat fields also creates a basis for planning the operation of farms and the food chain, and offers a well-founded overall view of the changes in the use of peat fields in the coming decades for the landowners and decision makers of the regions.

The road map for the use of peat fields project is a part of the climate action set of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's "Catch the carbon" -programme. https://mmm.fi/en/climate-plan-for-the-land-use-sector/research-and-innovation-programme

The measures aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture and forestry and other land use and strengthen carbon sinks and stores. More about the set of measures here: https://mmm.fi/en/climate-plan-for-the-land-use-sector

The project is part of the implementation of the Land Use Sector's climate plan. The climate plan for the land use sector contributes to Finland's goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2035. The plan also implements the European Union's climate goals and international commitments. The measures mentioned in the plan are expected to have a climate impact of at least three million carbon dioxide equivalent tons by 2035. The plan covers measures aimed at carbon dioxide emissions from agricultural lands, forests, land use changes and climatic wetlands, and also includes an implementation plan and a plan on how the measures and their effects will be monitored.

Work packages

Work package 1. Spatial information, data analysis and evaluation of structural development

Work package 2. Specifying scenarios and estimates of the effects of changes on agricultural production

Work package 3. Assessment of impacts on the climate and environment

Work package 4. Assessment of the effects on the regional economy

Work package 5. The significance of the results in relation to the climate plan of the land use sector, costs and the need for changes in guidance

Work package 6. Interaction

The project's stakeholders include e.g. farmers, food industry, advisors, municipal decision-makers, municipal agricultural activities and provincial planners and the state agricultural and environmental administration. Food industry companies Valio Oy and Nautasuomi Oy (owned by Atria) participate in the project as key stakeholders, where a significant part of raw material procurement depends on peat fields. Problem sets related to different scenarios and the whole and details of different scenarios, especially the target scenario, are evaluated and discussed from the point of view of the farm level, companies and administration, and regional decision-makers. In particular, the opportunities and pain points identified in the areas are taken into account, i.e. situations where it is difficult or impossible to avoid unfavorable effects caused by changes in the use of peat fields. The drafts of scenarios 1 and 2 and the outlines of scenario 3 are discussed with the aforementioned stakeholders in regional workshops, in which participation is possible via remote connections. Stakeholders' views and feedback on scenarios and e.g. the acceptability of different control methods are taken into account and reported.

Not only a report, but also articles in agricultural magazines, in webinars open to everyone and as a scientific article will be published on the development of peatland land use with measures, control methods and effects set on a timeline (2030, 2035, 2040, 2050).

Timetable: Remote stakeholder workshops in April-September 2024. Consideration of comments, modification of change scenarios and impact analyzes in summer and autumn 2024. Final report in October 2024.