Featherbed Moss. Credit Jane Akerman
Registering a project
Why do I need to register a project?
The Peatland Code is an open and transparent process, and all projects are publicly visible on the UK Land Carbon Registry. The data that you enter for your project registration will appear on the registry.
Registration is the first key step in the Peatland Code process. A project cannot be registered retrospectively, i.e. works cannot have begun on the site prior to registration. The registry also ensures that sites are not duplicated and therefore avoiding the risk of double counting.
Once registered, your project plan validation should be achieved within 3 years.
When should I register a project?
Aim to register your project at least 1 year before works are due commence, in order to achieve project plan validation in a timely manner. This may not be possible for some projects and a later registration is allowed so long as works do not begin prior to registration.
How do I register a project?
If you have engaged a Project Developer, they will likely register the project for you.
If registering the project yourself, you will need to open an account on the UK Land Carbon Registry. This type of account is free and registering a project is free as well.
Request a new account
Once an account has been set up you will need to complete the following:
- A draft project map (which includes the project name and a 6-figure grid reference)
- A draft emissions calculator (link to an emissions calculator)
On the registry:
- “Additional information” (areas of the different categories and predicted emissions reductions)
- “Site detail” (location of the project)
- “Project description”
Please make sure all information matches exactly on all documents and the registry.
Is there a charge if a project is cancelled?
No, there are no costs or ramifications to cancelling a project as long as no Pending Issuance Units have been sold.
What happens when my project is registered?
The project is then marked as Pending Review – Under Development (3rd Party) on the registry. This means the project has been submitted and is being reviewed by the Peatland Code team. If there is an issue with the registration it is rejected back to the project developer, who then has to address the issue and resubmit. Once approved, the project is marked as Pending Review – Under Development (Markit) which means that the registration is being reviewed by the S&P Global Environmental Registry operations team.
If there are any discrepancies, the registry team will contact the Peatland Code team and or the person who registered the project. These findings are commonly administrative issues such as a missing grid reference and project name/start date not being consistent across the map, emissions calculator and registry details. Please ensure you check this information before submitting a project.
Once the project is successfully registered it is classed as Under Development.
How long does it take to register a project once I have submitted it?
This process usually takes between 1-2 weeks.
How can my emissions calculator and map be accurate so early in the project?
The registration stage are draft documents and are likely to change at validation. The project boundaries and grid reference are required to confirm the site is real and the emissions calculator should be as accurate as you can make it at this point. If the hectares and condition category are altered by the time validation occurs it does not affect your project negatively.
What does a project developer do?
A project developer works with a landowner to organise the surveys and documents needed to submit a project for validation. Project developers will charge landowners a fee for this service. For information on current project developers see our support page.
