Caring for the organic resource

Peat moss is core to the performance of growing media, which in turn contributes to addressing social challenges such as food safety and human well-being.

Its unique properties — including water and nutrient retention, soil aeration, compatibility with biostimulants and biocontrols, and phytosanitary functions — set sphagnum peat moss apart from other materials.

We use this natural resource responsibly, guided by a long-term vision and a commitment to making a positive impact within the environments in which we operate. Three pillars guide our actions and decisions: responsibility, longevity and contribution.

Responsibility reflects our commitment to rigorous resource management, to the continuous improvement of harvesting as well as restoration methods through investments and innovation, and to open communication with local communities.

Longevity is about acting today with the future in mind, ensuring the longevity of the resource for future generations.

Contribution includes participating in the evolution of the industry by collaborating with the scientific community and its stakeholders. It also means investing in the innovation and development of future technologies and materials, as well as offering a portfolio of impactful products that help feed a growing global population and beautify the world.

As the global context constantly evolves, the requirements for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, protecting biodiversity and restoring ecosystems are being strengthened.

This now plays an increasingly important role in international commitments and public policies — such as the Paris Agreement, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and Canada’s 2030 Nature Strategy.

In this constantly evolving context, we are invited to rethink our commitment while redefining and strengthening our actions to tackle current and future environmental challenges.

Given our long-standing commitment to responsible peat bog management and a leadership position within the horticultural peat industry, these are topics to which we intend to add our voice.

Driven by our ambition for continuous progress, we closely monitor developments in science and issues related to biogenic emissions. We therefore ensure that we remain actively engaged and aligned with the various frameworks for biodiversity protection and the maintenance of ecosystem services.

Building on our leadership position within the industry and the efforts undertaken since the 1990s, we have set three targets this year for our peat bog operations.

Our ambition is to commit even more to peat bog restoration by increasing the proportion of restored sites and shortening timeframes between closure and restoration, thereby significantly reducing GHG emissions from our sites after harvesting.

Several restoration approaches can be considered when harvesting operations on a peat bog are completed. However, they are not all equal from an environmental standpoint.

Some methods aim to reestablish a plant cover without restoring the original properties of the peat bog — which allows managing GHG emissions but has limited impact on biodiversity.

Other methods aim to create the necessary conditions to restore the key ecosystem functions of a peat bog. Among these, ecological restoration by moss layer transfer technique (MLTT) stands out as it involves the active reintegration of peat bog plant species and hydrologic management. This method helps reduce GHG emissions, while enabling the gradual return of biodiversity.

This includes enhancing water retention and carbon sequestration, and enabling the return of mosses — typical wetland species —, insects, birds and numerous other species that inhabit peat bogs.