Jaana Merisaar, Project Specialist and Leeli Amon, Senior Research Fellow, from Tallinn University of Technology, presented the preliminary results of the socio-economic analysis of the peat industry at the Baltic Peat Producers Forum in Birštona, Lithuania, on 19 September. The study focuses on measures to help offset CO2 emissions from the peat industry.
Tallinn University of Technology, in cooperation with the Ministry of Climate, is conducting an analysis on "Assessment of the macro- and socio-economic impacts of the most important compensation measures in the peat sector needed to achieve climate goals”. Researchers from different departments are participating in the study – Ulrika Hurt, Jaana Merisaar, Tarmo Tuisk and Margit Kull from the Department of Business Administration, Leeli Amon and Mall Orru from the Department of Geology, Heili Hein-Sula from the Department of Economics and Finance, and Martin Küttim, a research fellow from Tallinn University.
The analysis focuses on reducing CO2 emissions from the peat industry through measures such as peat valorisation, restoration projects, and increasing environmental fees. Focus group and expert interviews, as well as statistical data, have been used to explain the findings.
The peat industry contributes significantly to the Estonian and Baltic economies through taxes, jobs and competitive wages. At the same time, it has been criticised for its CO2 emissions, as the LULUCF methodology is based on the assumption that all the carbon extracted is emitted. Estonia has set a target of zero net carbon emissions from the peat industry by 2050. Achieving this target will require a balance between environmental protection, peatland extraction and restoration and economic growth.
The final report will be available in the fourth quarter of 2024.