The Peatland Code is a voluntary certification standard for UK peatland projects wishing to market the climate benefits of restoration. It provides assurances to carbon market buyers that the projects they are investing in are credible and deliverable.
Peatland Code project in the Moorfoot Hills in Scotland
About the Peatland Code
Peatland restoration is an internationally recognised way to tackle climate change. In their natural state, peatlands offer long-term carbon storage. However, due to decades of unsuitable land management practices, the UK’s peatlands have instead become a significant net source of greenhouse gases. They currently emit about 16 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) each year.
The Peatland Code is a new certification scheme to support the protection and improvement of UK peatlands. Landowners can use the Peatland Code to secure funding for peatland restoration projects through carbon credits that can be sold to private carbon buyers looking to offset their carbon emissions.
Crucially, the Peatland Code guarantees independent validation and verification to its standards. It gives assurance and clarity for carbon buyers that a project’s expected benefit is real, quantifiable, additional and permanent.
With 80 percent of the UK’s peatlands currently modified or damaged, the Peatland Code offers an exciting and cost-effective way to capture and store billions of tonnes of carbon, whilst also improving water quality and preventing biodiversity loss.
“We want to see two million hectares of UK peatlands in good condition, under restoration or being sustainably managed by 2040.”
IUCN UK Peatland Programme
Why choose Soil Association Certification?
Soil Association Certification Ltd is approved by the IUCN to validate Peatland Code projects
Over 20 years’ certification experience across multiple land-management sectors, including agriculture and forestry.
Expert and personalised support from a dedicated Certification Officer
Peatland Code timeline
This table provides an outline of the process of becoming Peatland Code validated, and later verified.
Our team can provide help and advice on the certification process.
Below is a more detailed look at the Peatland Code validation process:
Contact us to apply
Soil Association Certification Ltd are authorised by the IUCN to provide validation and verification to the Peatland Code. Our team can offer expert advice on the steps to getting your project validated. Contact our team today: peatlandcode@soilassociation.org
