BBC News - Peatlands and the SBTi

The article highlights one of the 'buy side' challenges that peatland restoration projects, registered and validated under the IUCN UK Peatland Programme Peatland Code, face today. The classification by the SBTi restricts those with the ability to make the biggest difference, from engaging with peatland restoration in the UK at scale. A simple, founded in science, adjustment to the criteria would solve this.

Taking Scotland as an example, even with the recent changes to the funding landscape, there is both a huge shortfall in public funding to allow for targets to be met but, perhaps more importantly, there is also little to no funding for ongoing maintenance and monitoring of these crucial projects, once the capital works are complete. This means that there is a high risk that projects regress post restoration and emissions are not reduced as forecast. Monitoring, Maintenance, Reporting and independent Verification are key.

The Peatland Code provides a high integrity, science based methodology for realising independently assured emission reductions over time. The sale of the resultant carbon units provides landowners with the finances necessary to ensure that adequate monitoring and maintenance is in place to protect these fragile ecosystems over the long term. Without carbon sales, there is no finance allocated (or incentive for landowners to spend) on these crucial elements.

It was pleasing to see so many positive peatland posts (such as this fantastic Climate Asset Managment report) on Linkedin over the weekend (for #worldpeatlandsday). However, we really do need more engagement and commitment in the sector, nurturing partnerships and delivering the required resources to ensure that projects deliver on their intended outcomes; boosting biodiversity, reducing emissions, supporting rural jobs, mitigating flood risks and providing life sustaining green spaces for all to enjoy. 

 

The full article can be found here.