When you buy new potting soil at the garden center, you might not immediately think about it, but soil containing peat is harmful to the climate. This is because large amounts of CO2 are released during peat extraction. Therefore, the municipality of The Hague is switching to peat-free soil. Alderman Robert Barker (Public Space) explains: “By using peat-free soil, you can achieve enormous environmental benefits.”
Peat extraction oxidizes the peat, releasing significant amounts of CO2. The municipality of The Hague currently uses soil containing peat-free peat when planting trees, shrubs, and other plants. This municipal use releases 10,000 tons of CO2. Switching to a new peat-free mixture will reduce CO2 emissions by over 6,400 tons per year. This is roughly equivalent to the total annual emissions from all municipal buildings and vehicles. Alderman Barker (Public Space) said: “This is a major step for the climate. We will save CO2 emissions equivalent to driving 51 million kilometers in a gasoline car. That’s 1,275 times around the earth. It would be fantastic if many municipalities, businesses, and residents followed our example and started purchasing peat-free products.”
Less peat
The municipality has now decided to phase out the use of peat. It will start by eliminating the use of peat in flower boxes and planters starting next year. Alderman Robert Barker (Public Space, Animal Welfare and the Environment): “As a municipality, we want to set a good example in the fight against climate change. We are greening The Hague by planting many trees and shrubs, and when we go peat-free, it will be even greener.”
Image & Text: Gemeente Den Haag. Translation to English: The Hague Online