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Bwlch y Groes
In Wales, along the border of Snowdonia National Park, a degraded stretch of upland bog is being brought back to life. The Bwlch y Groes project restored damaged peatland, helping to lock in carbon, restore biodiversity, and safeguard water quality in one of the country’s most ecologically important upland areas.
This restoration project is located within the Berwyn and South Clwyd Mountains, along the edge of Snowdonia National Park. Historically, the landscape was shaped by centuries of burning and grazing, which stripped away much of its natural complexity. What remained is a degraded mix of grassland and blanket bog, with deep erosion features known as hags and gullies cutting through the peat.
Over time, this erosion drained the land, lowering the water table and halting the growth of peat-forming plants like sphagnum mosses. Without intervention, the site would have continued to release stored carbon and lose its potential as a haven for wildlife.
Restoration work has now reprofiled the hags and blocked drainage channels across the site. These measures have stabilised the peat, helped raise the water table, and created the conditions needed for native bog vegetation to return. As the site re-wets, it will once again support the full richness of bog life—from specialist insects to internationally important breeding birds.
At the same time, the newly functioning peatland will hold more water in heavy rain, reducing the risk of downstream flooding. The project is expected to prevent the release of over 2,300 tonnes of CO₂e over 35 years. This was only the third validated Peatland Code project in Wales and the first to combine carbon finance with public funding. Our thanks go to those who supported the restoration.
Certified under the Peatland Code, the UK’s government-backed standard for carbon-funded peatland restoration.
2021
2018
Peatlands are among the most valuable ecosystems on Earth and a stark example of how important our natural environment is to our wellbeing. Occupying just 3% of the Earth’s land surface, peatlands are our largest carbon store on land. They are places where people derive clean water and food, and can act as buffers for environmental disasters, such as flooding. They are also of global significance for biodiversity with the majority of peatland species and habitats rare, threatened or declining.
- Inger Anderson, Director of the IUCN
Co-benefits
Water quality
Restored peatland acts like a natural filter, trapping sediment and absorbing nutrients, which improves the quality of water flowing to rivers and reservoirs.
Flood resilience
Restored peatland holds more water during heavy rainfall, helping to slow runoff and reduce the risk of downstream flooding.
Biodiversity recovery
The rewetted habitat will support a wider variety of bog-specialist plants and wildlife, including insects and internationally important breeding birds.
Habitat creation
This project creates and enhances vital habitats for native wildlife, in particular, freshwater invertebrates
Our involvement
Bwlch y Groes was our first ever peatland project in Wales, supporting climate and biodiversity gains through careful restoration. We purchased nearly the entire carbon inventory and led the process of bringing it to market.
Step 1
Supported restoration validation
On behalf of Snowdonia National Park (SNP) and the landowners, we managed the documentation required for Peatland Code restoration validation, ensuring the process was smooth, accurate, and completed efficiently.
Step 2
Purchased the credits
We bought nearly all of the project’s carbon units following validation, paying 70% upfront and agreeing to pay the remainder upon verification. This gave the landowners immediate cash flow and a simple, efficient route to market.
Step 3
Found the right buyer
We marketed the project and secured a full sale to Deya Brewing. Their investment enabled us to reinvest in the next generation of UK nature-based projects.
Step 4
Managing long-term delivery
We are responsible for ongoing Peatland Code verification, helping ensure the project delivers real, lasting climate and ecosystem benefits.
Project status
Registered
Project and plans are registered on IHS Markit.
Project validated
Documentation is audited, but work and verification are yet to occur.
Restoration validated
Work is complete. An initial check has been carried out by a third party.
Verified
Meets Code standards, verified by an accredited assessor. Ongoing checks ahead.
Funded by
Want to back a project like Bwlch y Groes?
Bwlch y Groes was made possible by businesses and land managers working together to restore UK nature. If your business is looking to make a similar impact, explore the projects it can support today.
