Natural Capital and Scotland’s Rural Communities

Optimising carbon sequestration for community wealth building in Argyll and Bute.

Research highlights million-pound opportunity for Argyll and Bute from green recovery

Rural Scotland has extensive natural assets which could have an important role in reducing excess carbon dioxide (CO2) in our atmosphere. Landowners and managers are in a strong position to contribute to change and at the same time attract financial investment through carbon markets.

A partnership of private, public and community representatives in Argyll and Bute has been working together with research specialists to quantify the potential of carbon sequestration. 

The project was funded by the UK Government through the UK Community Renewal Fund. 

The objective is to provide a baseline and information which: 

• assesses what natural capital the area has to offer and any current sequestration activity; 
• provides an expert evaluation of opportunities; 
• examines the potential of carbon markets for the area, assessing costs and future value to the economy; 
• develops a proof-of-concept business model with example opportunities; and 
• delivers suggested implementation plans and recommendations.

Argyll and Bute prospectus

Read an overview of the findings, the scale of the carbon sequestration opportunities identified and next steps on how to make it happen.

Carbon Sequestration Prospectus

An opportunity for Argyll and Bute

See our partner press release for the launch of the research reports.

Research highlights million-pound opportunity for Argyll and Bute from green recovery

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Peatland restoration on Islay

Around 60% of Islay, the southernmost of the Inner Hebrides islands, is covered in peat. 

Argyll and the Isles Coast and Countryside Trust (ACT) has for the last five years been one of 11 cross border partners working with the Collaborative Action for the Natura Network (CANN) Project. EU Funded by INTERREG VA Programme and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), the projects have been working to save peatlands and wetlands across Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Scotland. 

The Islay project has carried out extensive work at Eilean na Muice Duibhe (Duich Moss) and Rinns of Islay, both Special Areas of Conservation. This has involved monitoring the sites, collecting environmental data, controlling invasive species, particularly Rhododendron Ponticum, developing deer management plans, and developing conservation action plans for the sites. 

ACT has now been successful in securing funding from Esmée Fairbairn Foundation to try to expand the range of landowners engaging in Peatland Action and the Peatland Code. The project hopes to engage with the wider community, draw in Islay’s main industry - whisky distilleries, and share the project model and lessons learned as they go along. 

Thank you to ACT, SAMS and to Jenny Love for use of photographs for this page. Please do not reproduce without permission.