Restoration – Retrofit Pilot
This project aims to reduce the need for turf in and around Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), and facilitate the restoration of blanket bogs and associated habitats. To achieve this aim, participants will have their home retrofitted to a higher energy efficiency standard and, in return, they will agree to the restoration of turbary areas and refrain from future turf-cutting. The project represents a significant investment in rural Ireland and will help meet national obligations for blanket bog conservation within SACs under the EU Birds and Habitats Directives.
Turf cutting
Where turf-cutting occurs, the environmental quality of blanket bogs is generally low and this negatively affects the condition of the overall ecosystem. Poor habitat condition can also result in lower agri-environment payments for the affected land area. Moreover, burning smoky fuels such as turf has a negative impact on human health due to issues with air quality.
Nonetheless, turf is an important domestic fuel for many households. It is important to provide people with alternative options to remove the need for turf and mitigate the negative impacts of peat extraction on both the environment and human health.
The project will reduce demand for turf and includes the restoration of blanket bogs and associated habitats.
Home Retrofitting
The project targets a reduction in the use of peat as a household fuel by retrofitting houses to a higher energy efficiency standard. The project provides financial support to participants and leverages grants for energy upgrades through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The project uses the SEAI One Stop Shop model to bring participating homes up to the required standard to receive the grants available.
Objectives
- To demonstrate how the retrofitting of homes reduces the demand for turf and therefore facilitates a reduction in the use of turf in and around Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) designated for blanket bogs.
- To help meet obligations for blanket bog conservation within SACs, designated to conserve species and habitats under the EU Habitats Directive.
- To help achieve Ireland’s Biodiversity Action Plan vision where by 2050 biodiversity is valued, conserved, restored and sustainably used, maintaining ecosystem services, sustaining a healthy planet and delivering benefits essential for all people.
- To help achieve Ireland’s National 2050 Climate Objective target to significantly and urgently reduce the use of all fossil fuels and improve energy efficiency in homes with resulting benefits for all householders in terms of efficiency, comfort, health and wellbeing.
More information on the Restoration-Retrofit Pilot project is available here
