WHY REDUCE PEAT USE?
The urgent need to protect peatlands and rethink horticulture
Peat is widely used in horticulture due to its excellent growing properties—but its extraction comes at a high environmental cost. The continued reliance on peat threatens Europe’s climate goals, its biodiversity, and the resilience of our food systems.
By reducing peat use, we can protect vital carbon sinks, restore damaged ecosystems, and build a more sustainable future for European horticulture.
The Problem at a Glance
Peatlands in decline
Europe’s peatlands store twice as much carbon as all the forests in the world combined—yet they are being drained and destroyed. This leads to a devastating loss of biodiversity, soil degradation and the collapse of unique ecosystems.
Peat fuels climate change
Peatlands cover just 3% of the Earth’s surface. Continued extraction directly undermines efforts to reach net-zero targets.
Horticulture depends on peat
Peat remains a widely used growing medium across Europe. As food production demands grow, so does the pressure on peat resources—underlining the importance of advancing sustainable alternatives.
Demonstrating Change Across Europe
Real-world trials in key horticultural regions
WHAT ARE THE OBSTACLES?
What’s holding horticulture back from going peat-free—and how PEATLESS is changing that
Despite growing awareness, many growers still face real-world challenges when trying to reduce peat use. From performance concerns to economic risks, the transition isn’t simple.
PEATLESS is here to unlock progress—through practical innovation, local support, and policy-ready evidence.
Technical
Alternative substrates often struggle to match peat’s performance. Materials vary in availability, consistency, and quality—making large-scale replacement a challenge.
Socio-Cultural
Growers need trusted knowledge, hands-on training and proven results to feel confident. Habits and perceptions take time (and evidence) to shift.
Economic
High upfront costs, thin profit margins and little policy support make it risky for growers and producers to change the status quo.
Are you a grower, advisor or curious innovator?
Join the Grower Community on WhatsApp
Get real-time updates, share experiences, and ask questions in our dedicated WhatsApp group—built for those on the frontline of the peat-free transition.
Available channels in talian, Spanish, German and Dutch (coming soon).
Click below and join your preferred channel!
From Sensors to Smarter Irrigation: How PEATLESS Is Improving Monitoring Systems for Peatless Substrates
Discover how CESENS and the PEATLESS project are developing smarter monitoring systems to improve irrigation management and support the transition toward peatless horticulture.
From Research to Real Production: How PEATLESS Is Validating Peat Alternatives for Mushroom Cultivation
Discover how CTICH and the PEATLESS project are validating peat-free and reduced-peat casing materials for mushroom cultivation through laboratory and semi-commercial trials.
PEATLESS presented at The Mushroom Days 2026
PEATLESS partners CTICH and INAGRO presented the project at The Mushroom Days 2026 in the Netherlands, joining sector-wide conversations on reducing peat use and exploring sustainable alternatives for mushroom cultivation.
