This project explores how Oxfordshire’s landscapes can lock away carbon while driving nature recovery and supporting the 30 by 30 target. It highlights practical ways for landowners to benefit from carbon markets, reviews emerging standards, and addresses challenges for smaller projects. By connecting carbon storage with climate resilience and community benefits, the report sets out a roadmap for a greener, more sustainable county.
The project was funded by Innovate UK and delivered in partnership between West Oxfordshire, Cherwell, South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse District Councils, and the Oxfordshire Local Nature Partnership.
This project, delivered in partnership with four district councils and the Oxfordshire Local Nature Partnership, explored how to generate new finance for nature recovery and provide local carbon offsetting opportunities. It reviews methodologies for carbon accounting, proposes high-integrity principles for nature markets, and examines options for implementing a wider ecosystem services market. Key recommendations include piloting trusted frameworks, bundling carbon with co-benefits, and adapting existing platforms to accelerate Oxfordshire’s leadership in green finance. This report forms part of the OLNP InnovateUK project exploring nature-based carbon sequestration in Oxfordshire.
This report assesses the potential for carbon storage across Oxfordshire’s habitats - including woodlands, soils, hedgerows, grasslands, wetlands, and rewilding - and evaluates the challenges of monetising these through carbon markets. It identifies key barriers such as inconsistent accounting, immature carbon codes, and economic viability, while emphasising the importance of co-benefits like biodiversity and flood mitigation. Strategic recommendations include adopting a “Carbon-Plus” model, developing whole-farm approaches, and creating a locally governed framework aligned with national integrity standards. This report forms part of the OLNP InnovateUK project exploring nature-based carbon sequestration in Oxfordshire.
This report sets out practical steps for developing a place-based nature market that delivers verified carbon and biodiversity benefits while avoiding greenwashing risks. It reviews global and national standards, identifies barriers such as high transaction costs and limited access for smaller landholders, and proposes governance options tailored to Oxfordshire. Recommendations include proportionate monitoring, recognised registries, blended finance, and pilot projects to create a scalable, trusted model for regional and national replication. This report forms part of the OLNP InnovateUK project exploring nature-based carbon sequestration in Oxfordshire.
This report analyses the current state of demand and supply for nature-based credits in Oxfordshire, highlighting limited availability of carbon credits and uncertainty around buyer interest. It explores barriers faced by landowners, such as navigating multiple carbon codes and financial constraints, and proposes collaborative models like landowner group packaging and a future whole-farm approach. Recommendations include piloting a Land Function Exchange and engaging trusted local partners to build confidence and accelerate market development. This report forms part of the OLNP InnovateUK project exploring nature-based carbon sequestration in Oxfordshire.
Commissioned by Oxford University Innovation, the study assessed carbon storage potential in habitats identified in the Oxfordshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy and examined opportunities to activate nature-based markets. This report forms part of the OLNP InnovateUK project exploring nature-based carbon sequestration in Oxfordshire.
Forum for the Future worked with Oxfordshire Local Nature Partnership to gather landowner perspectives on creating a marketplace for nature recovery. Through interviews and analysis, the report explores landowner priorities, challenges, and considerations for designing an equitable and effective framework. It offers recommendations for improving engagement and outlines themes that should guide future principles for nature markets. This report forms part of the OLNP InnovateUK project exploring nature-based carbon sequestration in Oxfordshire.
3Keel’s report investigates how Oxfordshire can attract private funding for ecosystem services beyond traditional carbon and biodiversity markets. It analyses sector interests, land capabilities, and barriers to investment, and tests engagement with potential buyers. The report concludes by recommending the creation of a Land Function Exchange to coordinate transactions and grow a robust nature-based marketplace. This report forms part of the OLNP InnovateUK project exploring nature-based carbon sequestration in Oxfordshire.
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