Support for the Revitalization of Historical Peat Extraction Sites

Title	Support for the Revitalization of Historical Peat Extraction Sites
Programme	Just Transition Fund

Project partners

1. Vidzeme Planning Region (Latvia) (Lead partner)
2. Kurzeme Planning Region (Latvia)
3. Latgale Planning Region (Latvia)
4. Zemgale Planning Region (Latvia)

Project objectives

1. To promote the remediation of historical peat extraction sites by obtaining and analyzing data on historical peat extraction sites within the target territories of the Just Transition Fund, assessing condition and potential reclamation methods.
2. To gather and compile information on the use of peat in municipal heating services and explore potential solutions for transitioning to other renewable energy sources.
3. To provide potential project applicants (municipalities and private individuals) with high-quality information necessary for preparing project documentation to attract investments from the Just Transition Fund.

Activities

1. Project implementation staff training;
2. Public information and education events, including the preparation of informational and educational materials on the reclamation of historical peat extraction sites;
3. Experience exchange visits related to the reclamation of historical peatlands;
4. Information dissemination, collaboration promotion, and educational events for spatial planning institutions, municipal employees, research institutions, as well as associations involved in peat extraction site reclamation;
5. Events regarding the phasing out of peat combustion systems for energy production;
6. Consultation for municipalities and public heating service providers regarding the development of documentation for the second round of project proposal submissions (including documentation on greenhouse gas emissions from existing peat combustion systems, calculations on emissions from alternative combustion systems, and socio-economic criteria);
7. Inventory of peat use in energy production, identifying peat-based heat energy production systems in municipalities, including those used in municipal heating services, and assessing the costs of adapting these systems to use other renewable energy sources or replacing the equipment;
8. Inventory of historical peat extraction sites, analysis and compilation of the collected data;
9. Acquisition and analysis of information about historical peat extraction sites owned by municipalities and private individuals, including desktop-based identification and field inspections of these sites, data compilation, and evaluation of ecosystem conditions by involving appropriate expertise;
10. Development of reclamation plans for historical peat extraction sites owned by municipalities and private individuals, and identification of the most suitable methods, ensuring that expert evaluations are conducted with the appropriate competence and quality to achieve the goals in areas where reclamation works will be carried out in future project rounds;
11. Informing the owners of historical peat extraction sites about reclamation opportunities, development of reclamation plans for interested owners by involving relevant experts, and the preparation of project documentation for future phases of the initiative;
12. Preparation of guidelines and deliverables to promote the reclamation of historical peat extraction sites, the replacement of peat-based heat energy production systems, and the preparation of supporting documentation for project submissions.

Results

1. Research and inventory have been conducted on historical peat extraction sites owned by municipalities and private individuals, covering an area of at least 9,000 hectares;
2. Reclamation plans have been developed for historical peat extraction sites where owners (municipalities, private owners) have shown interest. These plans will include information about the areas to be reclaimed, reclamation methods that have the greatest potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including emissions reduction calculations, cost estimates for reclamation, as well as details on the practical steps of the reclamation process;
3. Guidelines have been developed on the "Do No Significant Harm" principle for the climate and environmental assessment of historical peat extraction sites;
4. Guidelines have been developed for the socio-economic assessment of each type of reclamation for historical peat extraction sites;
5. Guidelines have been developed for the assessment of ecosystem services for each type of reclamation for historical peat extraction sites;
6. Guidelines have been developed for the recognition of historical peat extraction sites as reclaimed;
7. Information has been gathered on the use of peat in energy production for municipal heating services and potential solutions for switching to other renewable energy sources;
8. Public awareness, education, communication, and visual identity activities have been organized, including seminars and experience exchange visits.

Budget

Just Transition Fund Financing (85%): EUR 1,915,651.18

State Budget Financing (15%): EUR 338,056.09

Implementation period

1.10.2024-31.12.2026

Contacts

Maija Rieksta
Email: maija.rieksta@vidzeme.lv
Mobile: +371 26099521