It's spring and many hobby gardeners are stocking up on potting soil for their balconies and gardens. But the soil often contains peat that comes from drained peatlands. When gardening with peat, the carbon stored over thousands of years is released – the resulting greenhouse gases boost climate change. Half of the emissions from peat use in Germany are caused by potting soils. The Federal Government's voluntary peat reduction strategy therefore provides for phasing out the use of peat in hobby horticulture by 2026. Green compost, wood fibres, bark humus and coconut products are used as substitutes.
Peat-free potting soil is more expensive
Whether hobby gardeners opt for the peat-free variant when buying is determined above all by the price. A new study by the Thünen Institute shows that peat-free potting soils are on average 21 percent more expensive than peat-containing ones. However, this is not due to more expensive substitutes, but to higher margins for peat-free products, among other things. As long as this price difference exists, the authors consider a spontaneous peat phase-out in hobby horticulture to be unlikely.
Peat ban as an effective solution
In order to advance the peat phase-out, the researchers have investigated possible options for action. They consider a peat tax, subsidies for peat substitutes or the integration of peat into an emissions trading system to be too costly and risky. A ban on peat in hobby horticulture would be much more effective. The researchers expect hardly any negative effects on the sales figures and quality of the potting soils – provided that the stakeholders have sufficient time and information at their disposal.
Currently, the EU legal situation would prevent a peat ban in Germany. The researchers therefore emphasise that a European strategy is needed for an effective and fair peat phase-out.
