Ordnance Survey as launched a new data platform named OS VeriEarth to support nature based restoration and carbon offsetting.
It is now running a trial of the platform with Natural England and Durham University to produce a detailed carbon model in the North of England, with the ultimate goals of enabling effective verification for carbon accounting across Britain.
The project is focused on developing a detailed peat map of Thorne and Hatfield Moors, part of Humberhead Peatlands National Nature Reserve. This could be used to monitor peatland health and help inform and target future restoration activity on the site.
OS’s technical experts have been using geospatial and Earth observation (EO) data to analyse the current condition of peatland. It said this baselining technique could be rolled out nationwide to facilitate access to investment for large scale peatland restoration projects from carbon markets.
Using the OS data, experts will record different types of vegetation species, provide reporting on vegetation cover and health, monitor greenhouse gas emission types and establish the water table.
Setting a carbon baseline
The data will be presented via the OS VeriEarth platform, using a dashboard that will enable Natural England to assess site conditions and monitor changes across a large site area with a high degree of accuracy. This should make it possible to establish a detailed carbon baseline and accurately monitor the area, which could enable effective verification for a sophisticated approach for carbon accounting.
OS said the project team want to demonstrate how the technology can be used to support a highly accurate assessment of the beneficial impact of peatland restoration on carbon emissions across a large site, and to assess the potential for validation of restoration work under the Peatland Code.
The aims are to meet the verification and monitoring requirements of the code and to satisfy those carbon investors who are seeking the highest standards of project assurance.
Donna Lyndsay, OS sustainability lead, said: “We need to protect our peatlands so they are healthy and rich in wildlife. Using geospatial data and our technical expertise we can provide valuable insights and evidence to ensure we are preserving carbon sinks and optimising site management.
“This type of project highlights the need for viable solutions to combat the risks of climate change and demonstrate how accurate geospatial data can provide credibility in nature based restoration for investment, ensuring that organisations and landowners are effectively preserving and restoring our peatlands.”
Global cooling
Peatlands are the largest natural carbon store on land, storing more carbon than is currently in the global atmosphere and have a net cooling effect on climate change.
Natural England is working to prevent further loss of peatland habitats, rewetting peatland areas and returning them to their natural state, which could make a significant contribution to achieving targets on reducing carbon emissions and reaching net zero by 2050. It could also improve water quality, reduce flood risk and support biodiversity.
