Hannah Smith on record growth at Caledonian Climate

One such individual is Hannah Smith, our brilliant Geospatial Consultant. She chatted to us about her greatest achievements at Caledonian Climate, her thoughts on the growth of the peatland sector, and her hopes for the future of nature recovery.  

 

Looking back on the last five years of Caledonian Climate, what stands out most to you?

What stands out most for me is how far we've come as a business. When I joined, we were a team of nine, now we're 18 and still growing, alongside a growing number of projects, offices and vehicles. That growth is the clearest sign of what we've achieved.

Equally, the reputation we've built within the peatland restoration sector and nature market more widely. Caledonian Climate is now a well-known name in the field and has developed strong relationships with other stakeholders across the sector.

 

What projects are you most proud of?

I'm particularly proud of our partnership with Diageo. This is helping to bring greater private finance into peatland restoration, boosting projects across the country and reducing our reliance on public funding – which is hugely needed if we are to meet national peatland recovery targets.

 

What is the business’s greatest achievement – in your opinion?

Over the last five years, Caledonian Climate has demonstrated that peatland restoration can be delivered at scale and to the highest standard. Last year alone, we delivered around 20% of all peatland restoration undertaken in Scotland, making us one of the sector's leading delivery organisations thanks to the drive and commitment of the team.

We have recruited to meet increasing business demand, and to support the evolving needs of the sector – and our clients. Today, we are the UK’s largest peatland restoration consultancy, comprising expert ecologists, talented environmentalists and experienced directors. Not to mention our ever-growing network of freelancers and contractors.

In addition, we have been an advocate for bringing private finance into the sector, facilitating more restoration than would otherwise have been possible.

 

How has working with different stakeholders contributed to these achievements?

None of this happens in isolation. By working closely with landowners, public bodies, contractors and other partners, every project benefits from a wider pool of knowledge, specialist expertise and diverse perspectives.

Taking the time to understand each stakeholder's viewpoint isn't just good practice, it's what leads to stronger outcomes and ensures our work remains effective and sustainable in the long term.

 

What are the greatest opportunities for peatland restoration in the UK?

There is a real opportunity to increase public understanding of peatlands. Many people still don't know what peatlands are or why restoring them is so important, and raising awareness will be key to building wider support for their protection and restoration.

Building on our existing efforts, there is also a significant opportunity to attract more private finance into peatland restoration. By complementing public funding, private investment can help increase the number of hectares restored and unlock projects that may not otherwise be delivered. Continuing to strengthen how we communicate our impact, including through social media, will help build greater public awareness, attract new partners and investors, and ensure more people understand the value of the work we are doing.

 

Many thanks to Hannah for speaking to us for this piece. If you liked this, why not read Joanna’s interview here?