Cairngorms Peatland Restoration Project
Story
Scotland’s peat soils cover more than 20% of the country and store around 1.6 billion tonnes of carbon. But, it is estimated that over 80% of these peatlands are degraded. In fact, 3.5% of the UK’s total greenhouse gas footprint comes from degraded peatland. Our Cairngorms Peatland Restoration Project is undertaking essential work to address this.
The project is located in the heart of the majestic Cairngorms National Park in the central Highlands of Scotland, which stretches 4,528 sq. km. It is renowned for its rugged natural beauty, mountains, rivers, lochs, wildlife and cultural heritage. Not only is the project restoring peatland to provide a vital climate solution; it is enhancing natural habitats conserving wildlife species such as golden plover, red grouse, meadow pipit, and curlew. Healthy peatlands also naturally filter water, reducing pollutant and nutrient levels.
In addition to the environmental benefits, the project is creating jobs for the local community. Multi-year contracts are awarded to skilled professionals, allowing them to scale up their operations in the national park and beyond.
The Cairngorms Peatland Restoration Project is a collaboration between the landowner, the Park Authority, and Revere. The landowner proposed changes to land use practices to conserve and protect the restored areas of peatland over the long term. The Park Authority contributed to the design of the peatland restoration plans and grant funding for delivery, and Revere’s role is to secure additional finance and manage the project delivery.
This collaborative project aims to demonstrate how private financing can shoulder a greater share of the costs of peatland restoration, with less reliance on public funding.
Together, the three parties agreed to allocate 10% of any project profits to a local community trust.
If you would like to discuss the purchase of Peatland Carbon Credits for this project please contact ross.powell@thepalladiumgroup.com or lisa.sensier@nationalparks.co.uk.
Photos by Ed Smith.
Key statistics
- Location: Cairngorms National Park, Scotland
- Size: 700+ hectares
- Status: Investment ready
- Credit type: Peatland Carbon Credits
- Standard: UK Peatland Code
- Carbon removal: 45,000 tonnes of CO₂
Project approach
The peatland restoration begins with on-the-ground surveys to assess peat depth and degradation quantifiers known as condition categories in the Peatland Code. The extent to which raising the water table – a key aim of peatland restoration – will impact the storage of CO2 is then calculated. Design plans are drawn up by expert ecologists that will shape the restoration approach, before a team of groundworks contractors deploy techniques such as blocking drainage ditches with peat dams and bunding.
The Cairngorms Peatland Restoration Project blends public funding (Peatland ACTION grants from Cairngorms National Park Authority) with private investment to restore the peatland for this ambitious project, over 700 hectares, on a private estate.
The 10% profit share with the community is a key feature of the project and is in line with Scottish Land Commission Guidance.
The project is verified by the Peatland Code, which assesses the pre- and post-restoration state of a peatland site. This assessment is then used to calculate the carbon emissions avoided over time as a result of the restoration.
Project supporters
Our thanks go to phase one restoration funder, Santander UK.
