Volkswagen ClimatePartner, a joint venture between Volkswagen Kraftwerk and the ClimatePartner platform, has invested in peatland restoration in the UK, looking to deliver both carbon dioxide removal (CDR) results and environmental benefits.
As part of this investment, Volkswagen ClimatePartner is teaming up with Carroglen Farm in Perthshire, Scotland, where 60 hectares of peatland will be restored back to life over a period of 100 years, in a collaboration facilitated by Caledonian Climate Partners Limited—the UK’s leading peatland consultants.
During this century-long timeframe, the project is expected to result in emission reductions of over 12,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalents (tCO2e), which will align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and Scotland’s 2045 Net Zero targets.
By restoring peatland, this initiative will help sequester CO2 emissions while creating a vital habitat for a wide range of species.
The sphagnum moss found in healthy peatland ecosystems acts as a water filter and boosts the protection against flooding and drought. Due to these properties, peatland is seen as one of the UK’s most powerful natural assets in the fight against climate change.
Local contractors DC Restoration Contracts Ltd. have already started work on targeted areas of severe peatland degradation, fixing issues such as exposed peat, eroded hags, and vegetation loss, and laying the groundwork for a more durable peatland recovery.
With the funding from Volkswagen ClimatePartner, the project will enhance the ongoing site monitoring and maintenance, and it will work on adopting the best practices in management and monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) to ensure the project delivers on its envisioned targets.
The project integrity will be boosted with regular reporting and evaluations performed with drone surveys, on-site visits, and detailed habitat assessments.
Relevant: New Satellite Imagery Analysis Shows Significant Results From Peatland Restoration
Jacob Bourgeois from Volkswagen ClimatePartner commented, “We are proud to work alongside such dedicated and like-minded partners to deliver lasting benefits for people, nature, and the climate. Restoring degraded peatlands is particularly vital in Scotland, where these landscapes store immense carbon reserves, and their recovery represents one of the most effective nature-based solutions for tackling climate change.”
Freddie Ingleby, Managing Director of Caledonian Climate Partners Limited, added, “This is a landmark deal demonstrating that, with the right due diligence in place, high-value, high-integrity partnerships between corporations and landowners can leverage nature-based solutions to achieve global climate and nature targets.”
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