Bogs planted to help ease climate crisis

More than 1,500 hectares of cutaway bog in Westmeath and neighbouring counties are to be transformed into woodlands as part of a collaboration between Bord na Móna and Coillte Nature, it was announced this week.

Part of Bord na Móna’s move towards decarbonisation, the first phase will see 600,000 new trees planted at sites in Westmeath, Offaly, Laois and Tipperary in the next three years. The focus will be on growing a mix of native Irish trees such as Downy Birch, Scots Pine, Alder and other broad-leaves, including Hazel and Holly.

A Bord na Móna spokesperson told the Westmeath Examiner the firm was still finalising the locations of the sites in Westmeath that will be transformed into woodlands to help Ireland meet its climate change targets.

Speaking at the launch of the new project, BNM chief executive Tom Donnellan said: “Bord na Móna is changing how we manage bogs. As we step back from our traditional operations, our new approach involves innovative activities across our estate and in many cases that involves a range of new partnerships.

“This welcome joint initiative with Coillte aligns with our new approach to business, estate management and our plans to rehabilitate a total area of 35,000 hectares of peatlands by 2025. By this year we plan to have a new Bord na Móna estate that provides a new extensive rich habitat for native plants and animals and that also uses our resources in a sustainable way to support a thriving green economy.”

The announcement about the project was made on Wednesday by Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Richard Bruton, who said the transformation of the bogs into “rich, native woodlands” will help Ireland respond to the climate challenge. “This is a great example of how we can better use our resources to step up our response to what is the most crucial issue of this generation. Not only are woodlands crucial to absorb carbon emissions, they are essential for preserving Ireland’s biodiversity. The focus of this project is on native Irish trees and animal species.”