Netafim Supports the UK’s First-of-its-Kind Carbon Sequestering Initiative

In the first-of-its-kind project in the UK initiated by Carbon Plantations, a variety of Paulownia trees are being planted across 134 hectares of land to produce fast-growing quality hardwood and absorb carbon dioxide up to seven times faster than newly-planted indigenous woodland. 

Netafim has implemented its drip irrigation system across the plantation - one of the largest scale projects for its UK operation - to ensure the project’s long-term stability and increase yield. Working towards the UK Government’s strategy of creating economic opportunities for carbon capture as a key part of achieving net-zero emission goals, the trees will be coppiced in five years, their timber sold for light construction and carbon credits will either be claimed or auctioned for corporate carbon offsetting, contributing to ESG goals. The project is expected to absorb 150,000 tonnes of CO2 over the first 10 years of its lifetime.

Nigel Couch, Managing Director, Carbon Plantations, said: “We are acutely aware in the urgency of taking action to tackle the climate and ecological crises, and increasing tree planting is a key part of the government’s Net Zero strategy. Farmers planting trees on their land is providing much needed diversity, and new varieties can offer exciting and progressive solutions. No other tree can sequester as much CO2 as quickly as the Paulownia, and its wood is known as the aluminium of the timber industry. This new hybrid variety offers huge potential benefits for biodiversity, carbon capture and UK hardwood supply. The irrigation infrastructure and consultation that Netafim has delivered is key to the success of this unique project."

Alongside this, the agricultural pioneer is partnering with farmers and organizations from around the world to grow more with less.

“Over the last sixty years we’ve been at the forefront of sustainable agriculture and we’re excited to continue in this role by both initiating and supporting projects to help reduce and capture carbon emissions,” says John Farner, Netafim Chief Sustainability Officer. “We already know that our drip technology increases water and nutrient use efficiency, while increasing productivity. We are excited to partner with Carbon Plantations to transform the way we are removing carbon from the atmosphere and advancing life around the world.”