A campaign for peat-free futures rooted in justice

Peatland Justice (2024-present) is an artistic campaign led by RE-PEAT. It is a co-creative, narrative-shifting initiative that seeks to expose and transform peatland injustices.

We're currently seeking funding to continue this project. If you're a funder and would like to support us, please get in touch at info@re-peat.earth

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Why Peatland Justice?

Peatlands are being destroyed at an alarming rate—largely to supply the horticultural industry with peat-based potting soils. 80% of global peat extraction happens in Europe, causing the highest emissions per hectare of any land use.

At the heart of this crisis are two major drivers:

TRADE

Peat extraction for horticulture fuels large-scale environmental destruction. Peat is often extracted to be shipped beyond its origin country.

finance

Peatland degradation is embedded in economic systems that prioritise profit over people and ecosystems. A just financial framework is needed to change that.

Mapping the Story of Peat

We want to shift the narratives around peatlands, deepening public understanding and reconnection with peatlands. That’s why we have been creating a range of workshops, communication materials and pieces for our Deep Map exhibition that layer stories and facts. Together, these pieces show the situation of peatland (in)justice and invite you to become part of the conversation and get into action.

Find our zines, posters, explainer videos and past workshops here.

The Deep Map will be exhibited in the Netherlands in autumn 2026.

Turning stories into action: targeting retailers in the Netherlands

Building on the stories, we now turn to action. We are honing in on retailers - the public-facing link in the peat supply chain. With our actions, we push them to act on their responsibility in peatland destruction and go fully peat-free. We are taking on retailers in the Netherlands specifically, as this country is the largest peat importer in the whole of Europe.

We work in collaboration with other groups such as Turfvrij, Toekomstboeren and the Agroecology Network to push for a truly just transition away from peat, towards a horticultural system that is free of any type of exploitation.

Following the money

Peatland justice and money flows are tightly intertwined - for good and bad.

Under capitalism, peatland protection and restoration often only move forward when they are financially incentivised or made profitable. While funding is crucial to safeguard and restore these landscapes, we are cautious of big capital benefiting from peatlands without driving real system change and re-distribution of wealth.

In our exploration of peatland financing, we ask: how can funding for peatlands be done in a truly just way? We take a critical look at both the potential and the pitfalls of financial mechanisms such as community buyouts, carbon credits, offsetting schemes, and restoration finance initiatives.

We are proud to collaborate with: Wetlands International-European Association, Climate Catalyst and Transnational Institute.

Peatland Justice is made possible with the generous support of Allianz Foundation, Andrea von Braun Foundation, Lush, Patagonia, the Collective Imagination Practice Community, and the Landscape Research Group.