VERTIPEAT – Vertical Biomass Production for Rewetted Agricultural Peatlands

A GGR-Peat Flexible Fund Project

Led by: University of Leicester. Project partners: Remediate Nature, Fenland Soil and the Carbon Compost Co.

Intact peatlands store carbon over millennia, but drained lowland agricultural peatlands have become major greenhouse gas sources due to peat oxidation. Rewetting is essential to reverse these emissions and re-establish carbon storage. This project explores how targeted biomass amendments could speed up peat formation in rewetted systems—while minimising competition with food production.

VERTIPEAT introduces a novel approach: small-footprint, high-output vertical biomass production sited on marginal land. The project will test productivity, growing media, and nutrient requirements for different biomass crops, generating new evidence on efficient biomass generation without displacing agriculture. In parallel, the chemical suitability of candidate biomass materials—and biochar—will be evaluated for use as peat restoration amendments. Analyses will assess likely carbon stability and identify compounds that may influence peat decomposition.

By supporting mosaic land management, the project aims to enable farmers to produce restoration materials alongside food production. The results will provide insight into accelerating carbon storage in agricultural peatlands while sustaining economically viable land use.