Large-scale land acquisition for carbon: opportunities and risks: A SEFARI Special Advisory Group

Interest in carbon markets has increased rapidly in recent months, leading to new market opportunities and interest in acquiring land to invest in natural capital, typically through tree planting and restoration of degraded peatland habitats. However, the extent to which natural capital investment is driving transactions is unclear, with owners and purchasers potentially influenced by many factors. There is also uncertainty around how large-scale land acquisitions might interact with post-Brexit policies under development across the UK and the interests of rural communities.

In response, a SEFARI Specialist Advisory Group conducted an evidence review and convened more than 60 experts from policy, investment, third sector, research, land management and rural communities to identify and critically assess options for policy and practice to pre-empt and address trade-offs and challenges.