Speedy Hire partners on peatland restoration project

Photo: Speedy Hire

Speedy Hire and construction company Sisk have launched a long-term project to support peatland restoration in the UK’s boglands, in an effort to reduce carbon emitted from the sites.

Working in partnership with North Pennines National Landscape (NPNL), the companies have invested £10,000 in the project so far.

Phase one has seen members of staff from Speedy and Sisk plant 10,000 cotton grass plants in the North Pennines, the largest and most drained bog in England.

Speedy said the cotton grass plants will help to contain carbon in the ground and prevent it from being released into the atmosphere, with Peatlands said to be the world’s largest terrestrial carbon stores.

Sam Westran, chair of the Communities Committee, Speedy Hire, said, “We are proud to be supporting this important issue and making a direct contribution to peatland restoration. The World Economic Forum has considered world ecosystem collapse as a very real risk over the next 10 years, and it is important for businesses to include nature and biodiversity in their ESG plans.

“Climate change and biodiversity go hand in hand and we at Speedy Hire are committed to working with our partners to restore our country’s natural landscape, while helping to reduce carbon emissions.”

Christina Nichols, regional social value and stakeholder manager, Sisk, said, “Undertaking this vital work in the North Pennines National Landscape has been really important for Sisk. Together with Speedy Hire’s volunteers, our team enjoyed being part of the project, making a difference in reducing the carbon released into the atmosphere. Projects like this contribute to our target to support the successful restoration of peat bogs as part of our 2030 Sustainability Roadmap.”

Rebekah Bainbridge, field officer, NPNL, said the cotton grass plugs will work with other restoration measures to tackle peatland degradation, increase biodiversity,  reduce carbon emissions and mitigate flood risks.

This new project comes as part of Speedy Hire’s focus on Nature Positivity, which recognises the importance of biodiversity as part of the green transition and its role in supporting Speedy Hire to achieve its ESG goals set by the company’s ‘Decade to Deliver’ strategy.