Inbrief

Neat peat…A new tool setting out guidance and quality standards for sustainable business investment in peatlands has been launched by the UK’s Environment Minister Richard Benyon.

The development of the UK Peatland Code, led by Birmingham City University, will allow corporations the opportunity to sponsor UK-based projects linked to their brands as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility portfolio, with the potential to turn such investments into future assets.

 Lewis Jones, Future Quality Obligations and R&D Manager at South West Water, said: "As a business that depends on peatlands for drinking water, we believe that restoring and maintaining peatlands in good condition can save the company and our customers money, whilst protecting the climate and wildlife.

“Our Upstream Thinking programme is already improving drinking water quality and seeking to reduce water treatment costs by improving land management on the moors. The Peatland Code offers us an opportunity for this work to be recognised nationally and work with others to realise the benefits of healthy moorlands for the climate and wildlife."

The Code also provides an opportunity for landowners to generate financial rewards from restoration and sustainable land management.