Leicestershire, UK – A new UK government funded project is using LiDAR data captured by aerial survey and mapping company, Bluesky International to identify areas of hedgerow and subsequently the amount of carbon captured by hedgerows, enabling landowners to claim correct levels of carbon credits.
Carbon Keepers is a UK fintech start-up that has received a SPRINT grant, a government innovation grant, and has partnered with University of Leicester and Lowther Estate Trust to develop an algorithm that uses LiDAR data to identify how much carbon is actually being sequestered by hedgerows.
Eduard Hempel from Carbon Keepers, commented: “For farmers, carbon credits are becoming an important part of their income stream. They are being encouraged to plant trees, restore peatland and adapt soil management plans. This initiative aims to support them as it will provide the documented evidence farmers’ need to claim for carbon credits. We also plan to identify plant species that are growing within the hedgerows using Bluesky’s aerial photography.
“Having detailed and accurate LiDAR data is crucial to the development of this algorithm because it provides an accurate baseline of carbon stocks. We can then measure again in the future and award credits based on carbon sequestered in hedgerows. Larger hedgerows mean more CO2 is locked away naturally and importantly they provide vital habitats for birds and wildlife as well as biodiversity corridors.”
Heiko Balzter, Professor of Physical Geography & Director of the Centre for Landscape and Climate Research at the University of Leicester added: “I am excited to work with Carbon Keepers on carbon stocks and fluxes in English hedgerows. We know a lot about forests and woodlands, but hedges are a forgotten carbon asset in the UK. We will assess how accurately we can map their carbon content from a combination of field survey, computer models and remote sensing data.”
Ralph Coleman, Sales Director at Bluesky, said: “Carbon reduction and carbon capture are, quite rightly, high on the agenda for many industries at the moment and we are seeing an increase in our data being applied to support the plans and development of schemes to address climate change. Understanding the current state-of-play is a big part of this as we can then move forward and develop properly informed plans. I expect GIS data will be at the heart of shaping many initiatives like this.”
The Carbon Keepers project has received £50,000 of funding via the SPRINT grant and aims to be up and running to support the agricultural landowners later this year. It is already trailing the initiative in Cumbria and aims to enable farmers and land owners across the country to sequester a significant proportion of the potential 500,000 tonnes of carbon credits that could be applied to Britain’s hedgerows.
About Bluesky
Bluesky International is the leading aerial survey and geographic data company in the UK producing and maintaining seamless digital aerial photography and height data on a national scale in both Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland. Bluesky also undertakes bespoke surveys, including LiDAR, for a range of public and private sector clients.
Bluesky International operates a range of aircraft and sensors including three Ultracam Eagle Mark 3s, two CityMappers which allow the simultaneous collection of vertical and oblique imagery, as well as LiDAR data, and a Galaxy LiDAR which is mounted with a thermal sensor and survey grade camera. These systems put Bluesky International in the enviable position of being able to provide customers with unique and cost-effective geospatial solutions.
As well as being an established and respected aerial survey company Bluesky International is also highly innovative and continually strives to develop new products and services by embracing new technology and methods. This has resulted in the development of some unique products such as the National Tree Map (NTM).
These datasets underpin long term contracts with local and central governments and many major blue-chip companies from a range of market sectors including financial services, utilities, telecoms, web portals, construction and environment. Bluesky International has offices in the UK, US, Republic of Ireland and a dedicated production centre in India.
