Biodiversity crediting project

The IUCN UK Peatland Programme is developing a procedure for biodiversity crediting alongside the Peatland Code and Woodland Carbon Code programmes.

The project aims to create a robust, auditable and accessible framework for UK woodlands and peatlands.

The framework will provide additional funding mechanisms for sites where carbon credits and public funding are insufficient to achieve landscape restoration goals. This approach also incentivises landowners and project developers to prioritise other ecosystem services when planning restoration activities. 

We hope that establishing a UK voluntary biodiversity crediting programme, managed by government-backed, high-integrity codes, will stimulate the biodiversity credit market. We also hope it will create new pathways for private finance to support ecosystem restoration. 

Project plan

The project will:  

• Review existing biodiversity crediting and monitoring protocols
• Compare these with the Peatland and Woodland Carbon Code frameworks
• Engage with stakeholders
• Develop and trial a monitoring measurement, reporting and verification process
• Develop a set of codes for quantifying biodiversity within the Peatland and Woodland Carbon Codes.

We hope to complete the code by March 2025.  

Further information

We will include updates in the Woodland Carbon Code and Peatland Programme newsletters.

You can also email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Biodiversity Crediting Project Manager, to find out more. 

Funders 

This project is supported by NatureScot in collaboration with the Scottish Government and in partnership with the National Lottery Heritage Fund, through the Facility for Investment Ready Nature in Scotland.