Peat grows very slowly, only 1mm per year or 1 metre in 100 years. But it absorbs or sequesters Carbon and locks it in for centuries, and is therefore one of the most efficient carbon sinks available.

Damaged peatland (due to turf / peat extraction, afforestation, drainage, burning, etc) are estimated to be responsible for 1/4 of all carbon emissions in Ireland each year, equivalent to the annual emissions from cars on Irish roads.