Arup has committed £1 million to restore 67.5 hectares of degraded land at Boothby Wildland in Lincolnshire, a 617-hectare rewilding project led by Nattergal. In collaboration with Wilder Carbon, the initiative will secure 10,000 tonnes of carbon removal credits over 30 years.
Rather than purchasing land, Arup funds large-scale habitat restoration upfront, a model that aligns with the growing corporate demand for high-integrity nature credits. UK businesses face increasing pressure to meet net-zero targets, with demand for nature-based credits projected to rise 15-fold by 2030 and 100-fold by 2050.
The project will enhance biodiversity, improve soil health, support flood mitigation, and contribute to cleaner air and water. It also aims to set a precedent for private sector investment in ecosystem recovery. The UK has five years left to restore 30% of land and sea by 2030.
Wilder Carbon has certified the carbon credits under industry-leading standards, ensuring measurable and verifiable climate benefits. The partnership reflects a growing trend of businesses seeking long-term, science-backed carbon sequestration and biodiversity preservation solutions.