MORE than 80 Scottish carbon projects spanning 5,000 hectares can't be fulfilled without corporate investors, forestry chiefs have said.
Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) bosses say they need help to progress woodland creation and peatland restoration projects – and capture one million tonnes of CO2.
The opportunities - in various stages of development - are spread across the country and can only be fully developed through funding from partners, that in return will receive independently verified Woodland Carbon Units.
FLS chief executive, Simon Hodgson, said: “We’ve spent time looking closely at the land we manage to understand where – if money was no object – we could go further to enhance habitats and lock up more carbon.
"We’ve identified more than 80 carbon projects spanning over 5,000 hectares across Scotland that we do not have the resources to develop.
“These projects vary hugely in scale, complexity and location - from small corridors of native woodlands planted along remote rivers, to the total transformation of former derelict coal-fields into multi-use woodlands and greenspace in the central belt."
All FLS carbon projects will be independently verified to the UK Woodland Carbon Code or Peatland Code, which will ensure that all carbon units – also known as carbon credits or offsets - are real, measurable, permanent, additional and unique. Just last week, it was announced new measures will be taken to ensure projects don't exploit the code.
READ MORE: Woodland Carbon Code: 'Increased scrutiny' will halt 'over-bidding' for land
Partners looking to work with FLS will need to demonstrate that they have taken steps to measure their carbon footprint, prevent any avoidable emissions and reduce their remaining emissions as far as possible.
They should also have targets and transition plans in line both with Paris Agreement and Scottish Government 2045 Net Zero targets.
Simon added: “We are now looking for new partners to work with us and fund some of these exciting projects. Offering high-integrity, well-functioning and high quality carbon projects on national land, is an attractive option for businesses that are committed to achieving net-zero.”
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