Forestry

Glen Dye Moor

Glen Dye Moor is a 6,300-hectare afforestation and peatland restoration project in Scotland, seeking to achieve a robust and verifiable range of positive impacts on the ecosystem and surrounding area. Long-term goals for the site include leveraging nature-based solutions to mitigate climate change and generate financial returns, aiming to sequester over 900,000 tonnes of CO₂e over the project lifetime. The project will also enhance local knowledge and skills in forestry and conservation, while supporting local jobs.

The strategy includes planting approximately 5 million trees, primarily native species, alongside restoring 1,800 hectares of peatland. Degraded peatland offers a high-impact opportunity, as restoring degraded peat avoids future emissions and can sequester carbon more effectively than forest. Restoring peatland may also improve the water quality and flood resilience beyond the project area. The first phase of peatland restoration was completed in March 2024, with 178 ha being restored. In 2025, a further 305 ha were restored for a total of 483 ha. While initial land disturbance may result in short-term emissions, the asset is expected to become a net carbon sink within c.13 years as ecosystems stabilise.

Planting and restoration are guided by Scottish Forestry and aligned with the Woodland Carbon Code, ensuring robust carbon verification. Beyond climate benefits, the project supports local employment, skills development, and access to nature. This positions the asset as a scalable, future-proofed contributor to the Fund’s climate objectives.

Glen Forsa

Glen Forsa is a 1,580-hectare forestry asset located on the Isle of Mull, acquired in 2023 as the Fund’s second forestry investment. In 2025, 155 ha of land were reforested. The site includes approvals for about 800 ha of new planting, primarily of native broadleaf woodland to support a transition away from the existing monoculture forestry towards a more biodiverse woodland system. This reflects our strategy of using sustainable forestry to deliver measurable progress towards net zero while supporting UK biodiversity and nature recovery goals. The UK Government targets the creation of 30,000 hectares of new woodland annually, yet current planting rates remain materially below this level, highlighting a clear investment opportunity.¹

The project focuses on biodiverse tree planting and restructuring existing woodland to enhance ecological resilience and long-term carbon sequestration. Carbon credits generated will be verified under the Woodland Carbon Code, ensuring transparency and integrity of outcomes. The asset is projected to sequester over 177,000 tonnes of carbon over the project lifetime, contributing to long-term emissions reduction while supporting the Fund’s climate objectives and broader natural capital strategy.

1: Carbon Brief: Chart: UK misses tree-planting targets by forest the ‘size of Isle of Wight’

Education and Social Value

Glen Dye Moor and Glen Forsa exemplify a leading approach to delivering social value alongside natural capital investment, combining large-scale environmental restoration with tangible community and skills outcomes.

Our projects are designed as living learning environments, supporting partnerships with schools, universities and industry to enable research, training and education, alongside dedicated outreach initiatives. One such initiative is the Climate Smarter programme, which delivered climate education to 38 primary schools across the Isle of Mull, Oban, Islay & Jura, and Aberdeenshire and Angus.

Central to our educational outreach is the award‑winning Forestry Operations New Entrants Programme, recognised at the Confor Awards for its role in building industry resilience by equipping new talent with practical skills and clear employment pathways. The programme is designed to equip new entrants with essential skills and knowledge for a successful career in the forest industry. It spans five weeks and covers a wide range of topics, ensuring participants gain both practical and theoretical knowledge, whilst being introduced to prospective employers during the course.

Complemented by on-site training in peatland restoration and contractor mentoring, these initiatives are actively strengthening local workforces, creating jobs, and positioning both assets as hubs for green skills development and long-term rural economic growth.

Outcomes to Date

38 primary schools provided with climate education
8 participants in the award-winning Forestry Operations New Entrants Programme