Sustainability

11.12.2019
Alina Strickmann

RPP certified harvesting areas

78% of harvested volumes RPP certified

Klasmann-Deilmann supports the European Non Governmental Organization „Responsibly Produced Peat“ (RPP). The aim is the responsible use of peat harvesting areas and the protection of natural peatlands. To this end, RPP has established a certification system that demonstrably combines the selection, use and restoration of extraction areas with strict requirements.

In recent years, Klasmann-Deilmann has applied for RPP certification for most of the extraction sites. By the end of 2018, this had been obtained for 76% of the total harvesting area. And, in the 2018 financial year, 75% of the peat produced was from RPP-certified sites.

 

Established in 2013 RPP aims at:

  • Leaving natural peatlands of high conservation value untouched, and preserving them over the long term;
  • Permitting controlled peat production solely on sites already drained and/or previously used for agriculture;
  • Ensuring the long-term availability of peat as a valuable growing-media constituent;
  • Increasing the rate of peat production from degraded peatlands so that restoration measures can be started as early as possible.

 

RPP brings together relevant lobby groups across the peat and substrate industry, including renowned scientists, environmental associations and many companies in the sector. RPP aspires to consistently achieve a workable balance between the interests of the substrate industry and those of nature conservation and climate protection. The aim is to establish the RPP label as a prestigious, reliable and recognised environmental standard similar to PEFC and FSC.

To this end, RPP has established a reliable and transparent certification system for responsible peat production. Member companies and their extraction areas are examined by an independent auditor on behalf of certification organisation ECAS.

In recent decades, 8,800 hectares of former peat harvesting areas has been rewetted, reforested or prepared for subsequent agricultural use by Klasmann-Deilmann. Of this total, 4,500 hectares of rewetted areas are permanently available as biotopes for nature conservation and climate protection.

 

For more information please visit

www.responsiblyproducedpeat.org

www.klasmann-deilmann.com/en/sustainability