Amaury Dufour

RE-PEAT:
An examination of the potential implementation of a rehabilitation strategy for unused cutaway bogs owned by Bord na Moná by redeveloping peatlands to protect biodiversity, heritage and mitigate climate change

Climate change has been a primary concern over the last decade, with numerous specialists highlighting its adverse impacts on human populations and biodiversity (IUCN, p. 49, 2023). There is a critical need for substantive changes, particularly transitioning toward more sustainable societies (Department of the Environment, Climate, and Communications, pp. 11-16, 2021). A significant aspect of this transition involves shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, as demand for clean, locally produced energy has recently intensified (The Irish Times, 2023).

Ireland, aligning with European directives on climate change and energy, has developed several policies aimed at increasing the use of renewable energies. The goal is to generate 80% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030 (Department of the Environment, Climate, and Communications, pp. 11-16, 2021). Additionally, Ireland is focusing on restoring biodiversity and habitats, with particular attention to valuable ecosystems such as peatlands (Government of Ireland, pp. 6-7, 2017).

However, Ireland currently produces only 36.8% of its electricity from renewable sources, which is substantially below its potential and below meeting the 2030 target of 80% of electricity produced by renewable sources (González, A., Daly, G., and Gleeson, J., 2016).

Furthermore, the development of renewable energy facilities, such as wind farms, has sparked controversies, including bog bursts and habitat destruction (Irish Independent, 2023). Unrestored cutaway bogs, targeted for new wind energy projects, pose additional challenges despite the implementation of rewetting efforts and Bord na Móna’s rehabilitation strategies (NPWS, pp. 2-3, n.d.).

These challenges present unique opportunities for landscape architects, who have yet to fully engage with peatland redevelopment in Ireland. There is an urgent need to devise better strategies for balancing biodiversity conservation and renewable energy development (González, A., Daly, G., and Gleeson, J., 2016).

This research proposal aims to evaluate the current status of peatlands and explore their potential for redevelopment into multifunctional habitats that could support both conservation and renewable energy generation. The study will highlight relevant issues and opportunities, drawing insights from case studies and literature reviews on restoration and redevelopment projects. A prospective site for implementing these strategies will be selected and analysed for future design. Ultimately, this research seeks not only to discover new ways to integrate ecological and rehabilitation solutions but also to use energy infrastructure to rehabilitate landscapes affected by past industrial activities.