Prof Mark Reed
Research Manager, IUCN UK Peatland Programme
Birmingham City University
The voluntary standard for peatland restoration
projects in the UK that want to be sponsored on
the basis of their climate and other benefits
Guidance for restoration projects
Assurance for sponsors
In pilot phase (2013-2015)
Not an offsetting scheme
Summary
Development
IUCN Peatland conference, Stirling 2011
Report for EMTF: ranked their top opportunity
Highlighted in Defra’s PES Action Plan
National Action Plan & Committee
on Climate Change: “key priority”
Joint ministerial statement, 2013
Code developed via Valuing
Nature Network project and
Defra PES Pilot
Governance
Owned by IUCN UK Peatland Programme
Steering group chaired by Paul Vaight:
Government departments and agencies for UK and
devolved administrations
Environmental NGOs
Landowners
Business
Research
Defra-funded R&D project to support pilot phase
managed by selected steering group members
Here today
Scottish Gov./SNH
Neil Ritchie
Andrew Coupar
Defra
Colin Smith
Catherine Duggan
Emma Barley
Welsh Government
James Skates
Land owning
interests
Simon Thorp
NGOs
Clifton Bain
Research
Mark Reed
Business
Paul Vaight
Pilot sites
Exmoor
Pumlumon
Lake District
Peatland Code
Parnters across UK
providing data and
trialing methods
(including Peatland
Action)
Why is business interested?
Reduce costs (some sectors)
Demonstrate responsibility towards environment
In future, meet environmental obligations
Promote brands &
product lines linked
to peat
Restoration on Exmoor funded by South West Water
How will it work for landowners?
On top of agricultural payments via CAP
Minimum 30 year contracts during pilot phase
Possibility of shorter contexts via Glastir
Negotiate price with sponsor
Bi-laterally or via broker
Cover costs of work plus maintenance payments – no
set rate, to be agreed between buyer and seller
Submit Expression of Interest to
Steering Group
Project Design Document
Contracts and project
implementation
Payments and work start
Commercial brokers are beginning to emerge
Peatland Alliance national prospectus and pitch:
Peatland-owning NGOs with selected landowners
Trusted brands and choice of sites
Government e.g. via Glastir?
Brokers
Pure CSR (no offsets): Peatland Alliance –
pitching this Autumn
Mandatory carbon reporting: Peatland Code in
GHG Accounting Guidelines
Voluntary Carbon Markets after 2015 (e.g. via
Verified Carbon Standard)
Next steps
www.iucn-uk-peatlandprogramme.org/peatland-
gateway/uk/peatland-code
Premier of new Greengage Films production,
“Our Wilderness”
Sign the Peat Free Pledge…
While I’m here…
www.mayaproject.org/peat-free-pledge
#peatfree