A landmark partnership to unlock one of the UK’s largest woodland creation projects using carbon finance.
Through this landmark partnership, L&G is investing in one of the UK’s largest woodland creation projects using carbon finance. Together, we are demonstrating how private sector finance, National Park expertise and landowner participation can deliver meaningful environmental outcomes at scale. By combining public woodland grants with early long-term investment from L&G, the partnership will accelerate woodland creation and generate high‑integrity carbon credits alongside significant biodiversity and societal benefits.
Targeting 500 hectares of new woodland in the South Downs National Park, the project is expected to remove more than 150,000 tonnes of CO2e over the next 40 years, while creating new wildlife habitats, improving ecological connectivity and strengthening the resilience of the landscape increasingly threatened by extreme weather.
The South Downs Woodland Carbon Project was co-designed by South Downs National Park, National Parks Partnerships and Palladium. Alongside carbon removal, the project will help enhance the South Downs landscape by creating new broadleaf woodland habitat on marginal agricultural land.
Creating a blueprint for nature recovery at scale
Part of the wider work taking place across the UK’s 15 National Parks, the South Downs Woodland Carbon Project demonstrates how private sector finance, National Park expertise and local stewardship can come together to restore nature at scale and unlock future investment in protected landscapes.
Landowners at the heart of delivery
This innovative finance model creates a practical pathway for those managing land to participate in nature recovery and access carbon finance, while retaining ownership and stewardship of their land.
Landowners and farmers sit at the heart of this model. It creates a practical pathway to participate in nature recovery and access carbon finance, while retaining ownership and stewardship and building in the adaptability and resilience needed for a changing future. Their deep understanding of the land they manage and the challenges facing it with the climate and biodiversity crises is integral to identifying the right opportunities for woodland creation that works for both nature, for the farmer and for the forester.
Through collaboration at a local level, the project reduces risk and offers land managers a straightforward route to engage with the carbon market through a trusted partner. Participants will benefit from a combination of grant funding and additional carbon payments to create and maintain native woodland habitats, supporting the South Downs National Park Authority’s wider ambitions for nature recovery and climate action.
L&G supports the creation of high‑quality carbon credits developed under the Woodland Carbon Code. These credits help the company progress its science‑based net zero commitments, while also delivering wider environmental benefits, including biodiversity gains, habitat restoration and improved landscape resilience within the UK’s National Parks.
Established in 1836, L&G is one of the UK’s leading financial services groups and a major global investor, with £1.2 trillion in total assets under management (as at FY25) of which c. 43% (c. £0.5 trillion) is international. We have a highly synergistic business model, which continues to drive strong returns. We are a leading player in Institutional Retirement, in Retail Savings and Protection, and in Asset Management through both public and private markets. Across the Group, we are committed to responsible investing and dedicated to serving the long-term savings and investment needs of customers and society.
National Parks Partnership works with leading organisations to deliver nature recovery, social impact and climate action at national scale.
Through a partnerships spanning a few to all fifteen UK National Parks, we help businesses move from ambition to demonstrating real and measurable impact.
Whether you are exploring your first partnership, or looking to deepen existing commitments as part of a wider partnerships portfolio, our team will work with you to shape a partnership aligned to your organisation’s goals, governance and reporting needs.
Share a few details below and a member of our team will be in touch to discuss partnership opportunities across the UK National Parks.
Partnering with the National Parks brings our technology together with on-the-ground initiatives to make a real impact.
Importantly, our research not only shows that people want to engage more with nature, but that they expect businesses to play their part too, so we are proud to help meet that challenge.
Nicki Lyons, Chief Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Officer, VodafoneThree
