Wildfire could have caused greenhouse gas emissions

A single wildfire on peatland could have released the carbon equivalent to six days’ worth of Scotland’s total greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere, according to new research.

Analysis for WWF by Ricardo assessed the impact of a wildfire on the scale of the one which burnt for almost six days on part of the Flow Country in the far north of Scotland in May this year.

The Flow Country is estimated to store 400 million tonnes of carbon and is under consideration for World Heritage Site status for its globally-rare type of blanket peatland.

The study used an approach based on International Panel on Climate Change methods and estimated 174,000 tonnes of carbon was lost from peatland into the atmosphere during the fire.

This is the equivalent of 6.2 days of daily average greenhouse gas emissions in Scotland.

WWF Scotland is now calling for urgent action to protect and restore peatlands, described as “vital carbon stores”, including increased, multi-year funding from the Scottish Government of at least £20 million per year.

Gina Hanrahan, head of policy for WWF Scotland, said: “We’re facing twin climate and nature crises.

“People and nature in the UK are already feeling the impacts of climate change, and we have little time left to act if we are to avoid its worst effects.

“This analysis puts into stark figures the importance of our peatlands and the huge cost to climate and nature when something goes wrong.”