Sustainability drives a unique peatlands hot spot project
Almost 150 Deloitte volunteers are helping to restore native peatlands in an important new ESG initiative
Deloitte Ireland is committed to leading the transition to net-zero in professional services. This is part of a net-zero by 2040 target and a transition plan focused on reducing the environmental impact of Deloitte’s business. It also involves engaging our suppliers and clients to reduce their emissions, collaborating for a low-carbon economy.
Part of that strategy focuses on applying the Science Based Targets Initiative’s Beyond Value Chain Mitigation (BVCM) criteria which encourages organisations to use its reach, capabilities and investments to tackle climate change, protect and restore nature, and drive societal impact through best practice partnerships aligned to the latest science and emerging standards. With this criteria in mind we were able to collaborate with one of our climate charity partners to develop a high-impact and engaging project.
"Peatlands store more carbon than any other terrestrial ecosystem, so by preserving them, we ensure there is less carbon entering the earth’s atmosphere."
Caítlín Flanagan, Deloitte Ireland’s Sustainability Lead
Sustainability Lead, Cáitlín Flanagan, points out that moving away from traditional carbon credit purchasing has allowed for more focus on meaningful reduction solutions that also empower people. “It’s one of the reasons we chose to team up with Bord na Móna and the Leave No Trace initiative in 2024 on a carbon mitigation project as part of our drive towards a net zero future.
“The Hot Spot project at Killaranny Bog, near Lough Boora Discovery Park in County Offaly, was a wonderful opportunity to support the restoration of the peatlands. It also contributes to reducing Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) and gave anyone involved a better understanding of the importance of peatlands as a carbon store and potential of Sphagnum moss to re-establish the living layer, help it return to a fully functioning natural habitat and potentially increase the carbon sequestration capabilities of the bogs."
“Around 150 of our staff, including our CEO, Harry Goddard, visited the site over four days in September 2024 and we planted 12,000 Sphagnum plugs across 8400 m2. The response was incredible – 100% of our volunteers reported ‘enhanced understanding of peatlands' in a follow-up survey, representing a great educational outcome from the exercise. The follow-up project received immediate interest, with all volunteer spots filled, reflecting the previous year's success and high engagement levels.
“The volunteering opportunity included programmed peatland rehabilitation and restoration activities, and ongoing monitoring and measurement of project impacts, both the carbon removal potential of the Sphagnum moss associated with BVCM and additional biodiversity benefits.”
Cáitlín explained that Leave No Trace is Ireland’s only outdoor ethics programme, promoting the responsible use of the outdoors. “Through education, research and partnerships, Leave No Trace Ireland enables and supports individuals, communities, organisations and companies in reducing the environmental impact of outdoor activities. Their Hot Spot Programme identifies areas suffering from human-related impacts that can thrive again with Leave No Trace solutions.”
This innovative project is viewed as a unique model for peatland rehabilitation, biodiversity enhancement, cross-sectoral collaboration, and meaningful climate and nature action. Cáitlín says it sets a new standard for how similar environmental projects can be developed in the future.
“Peatlands contain 25-33% of global soil organic carbon, but they only cover 3-6% of land surface. Peatlands store more carbon than any other terrestrial ecosystem, so by preserving them, we ensure there is less carbon entering the earth’s atmosphere. This project also helps us to understand the carbon sequestration potential of native bog species like Sphagnum moss.”
