Strategic peat reserves in Ukraine

The largest peat resources are concentrated in Volyn, Rivne, Sumy, Chernihiv, and Zhytomyr regions, on whose territories more than 1,000 deposits have been explored.

About 500 peat deposits are classified as exploited. 80 percent of the extracted peat is used as fuel, 20 percent for the production of fertilizers.

The introduction of new peat deposits into development requires drainage and mining, which leads to the deterioration or cessation of the biospheric functions inherent in peatlands, which can negatively affect the ecological safety of the region.

As a result of drying, peatlands cease to be a carbon storage site and become a powerful source of greenhouse gas emissions, causing negative consequences on a global scale.

Peat extraction technologies cause a negative anthropogenic impact on the environment, disrupting the biodiversity of the site and surrounding areas. 

During peat extraction, there is a mechanical impact on the top layer of soil and removal of soil and vegetation cover.

The mentioned negative consequences of peat extraction requires coordination of further activities on exploration and development of new peat deposits with state climate policy and state policy in the field of environmental protection.