New research on mapping the drivers and impacts of carbon markets on rural enterprises in the UK has recently been published by the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE).
With contributions from CCRI’s Damian Maye and Julie Ingram, the research also involved academics from University of the West of England Bristol, Bournemouth University, and Harper Adams University who examined the accessibility and inclusivity of voluntary carbon markets for rural enterprises.
Voluntary carbon markets (VCMs) play a critical role in achieving net zero goals by enabling the trade of carbon credits. However, UK rural enterprises such as farms, small businesses, and local producer groups, face significant barriers to participation. These include limited access to reliable information, minimal meaningful community input in key decisions, and unequal distribution of economic benefits. This project investigated these challenges by examining the Woodland Carbon Code (WCC) and Peatland Code (PC), identifying areas where they fall short in supporting fair and sustainable carbon trading.
The findings point to the need for clearer ethical guidelines, stronger partnerships with rural communities, and better support for diverse land ownership models. To help address these issues, an animated guide (see below) offering 10 practical tips for entering the carbon market and an infographic explaining key principles for navigating these opportunities were produced
The research was funded through NICRE’s Research and Innovation Fund.
Download the full report on the NICRE website.
