Block I of IMCG’s 2007–2010 Action Plan focuses on the implications for peatlands of energy-related issues. These include the utilization of oil and gas reserves, fuel peat policy, and the development of renewable energy resources for climate change mitigation (e.g. wind, hydropower, energy crops, biomass). This symposium will be the first activity within the theme, and it will focus on the intersection of European policy for wind farm development with peatland interests.

In line with the UNFCCC/Kyoto agenda, it looks as though the European Union will require its members collectively to derive 20% of energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020. Wind power generation is currently regarded as the most viable technology, and already wind farms seem to be appearing everywhere. Especially in upland locations and oceanic countries, many of the preferred sites are on peatland.

In the UK, work began on Europe’s largest wind farm to date at the 55 km² Whitelee site on peaty moorland to the south of Glasgow (140 turbines, 322 MW) in October 2006. Debate continues over an even larger proposal for the peat-covered west-coast island of Lewis (initially 234 turbines, ca. 702 MW), and further giant developments on peatland are expected.

The strings of turbines on the Galician mountain ridge mires in northern Spain already stretch as far as the eye can see (IMCG Newsletter 2007/1, page 14).

Environmental impact studies usually predict rather small effects on the peatland habitat. But wind farm construction in Ireland triggered multiple ‘bog slides’ – the most catastrophic at Derrybrien – which seemed to belie this expectation and led us to question whether the planning process took account of the special characteristics of peatland^[1]. Certainly, the engineering work (peat removal, road construction, blasting) required to install a wind farm resembles operations that have in the past been associated with the degradation of peatlands, loss of biodiversity and impairment of their ability to deliver other goods and services. On the other hand, some of the peatlands targeted are substantially degraded, and opportunities for their restoration are flagged as potential secondary benefits from wind farm development.

This symposium will provide a forum for scientists, policy-makers and practitioners dealing with these matters to exchange insights and experience; and to begin working towards a common understanding of the issues, the formulation of principles for 'wise/best practice' and the identification of research needs and priorities. The attractive location of Santiago de Compostela (UNESCO World Heritage since 1985) in northern Spain will allow us to visit virtually unknown mires in the Galician mountains, both with and without wind farm development, and a subsidiary aim will be to promote a wise use plan for these mires. We shall also launch the more general IMCG initiative on peatlands and energy, and we hope that by then we shall be in a position to take this forward through a European COST action.