OF&G (Organic Farmers & Growers) have teamed up with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) UK Peatland Programme to offer a new certification scheme to landowners that will support the protection and improvement of UK peatlands.

The Peatland Code sets out best practice for projects seeking to market the climate and environmental benefits of peatland restoration. It helps landowners secure private funding for projects, offering an additional revenue stream, by providing investors with assurance through third-party verification that expected climate benefits are credible and deliverable.

The Code works to protect the country’s 2.7m ha of peatlands, which store over three billion tonnes of carbon - the same amount stored in the forests of the UK, France and Germany combined - in the form of peat soil.

When the surface of peatland is damaged, either through draining, livestock grazing or peat mining, it can release carbon in the form of greenhouse gases until steps are taken to restore the land.

While 80% of the UK’s peatland is currently damaged, peatland restoration can save between two and 19 tonnes of carbon per hectare per year, which is where the Code will help.

Agri-environment schemes and grant-aided projects go some way to funding restoration, but many projects require private investment via the UK’s voluntary carbon market.

OF&G was the first body to be authorised by the IUCN to provide validation and verification to the Peatland Code.

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To find out more please contact OF&G at 01939 291800 or write to us at info@ofgorganic.org