Councillor Gordon Murray, Chair of the Comhairle's Biodiversity Action Plan Steering Group is calling for a report on peatland management and how income can be maximised.
Cllr Murray stated: "The peatland in the Western isles offer huge potential in terms of carbon capture if effectively managed. There are many schemes all over the UK such as woodland planting where people or communities are paid to capture carbon. There are also companies who will support such schemes to offset their own carbon footprint."
"The population of the Western Isles has been quietly capturing carbon in the background for the last 2,000 years or more."
"It is estimated that with the growth of peatland at 1mm per year, the Western Isles has been capturing five times as much carbon dioxide as we have been producing. Other places are paid for results like these and so should communities in the Western Isles."
"I am calling for the council to bring forward a report to calculate the volume and average growth of peat in the Western Isles, review current schemes in peatland management and explore strategies for good peatland management and potential income streams."
"I would also call on an investigation on damaged peatlands in the Western isles where these are emitting more carbon than they are capturing and which should be a priority for repair."
The Biodiversity Action Plan Steering Group should be meeting in the next month or so and anyone wishing to attend is warmly invited. Please contact Councillor Gordon Murray Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to find out more.
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A journal written by the SNP opposition group on the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council).
