Matthew Hay
Associate, Natural Capital & Sustainable Investment
Matt’s deep knowledge of voluntary carbon markets and their links to nature-based solutions, is impressive.
Matt’s deep knowledge of voluntary carbon markets and their links to nature-based solutions, is impressive.
With a degree in natural sciences and experience - both personal and professional - in landscape-scale ecological restoration, Matt has an intimate understanding of how to use the Woodland Carbon and Peatland Codes to finance nature-based solutions to climate change and the loss of biodiversity.
Matt loves getting out on the ground and seeing the tangible impacts that landscape-scale restoration projects can have. He is passionate about preserving and enhancing Scotland’s natural capital by helping land managers to maximise their contributions to climate change mitigation and nature recovery.
Energised by helping to shape the emerging natural capital markets, Matt is at the sharp end of carbon finance for nature-based solutions. These projects deliver societal and environmental goals while underpinning new and existing rural industries.
With previous experience in a major catchment-scale habitat restoration project, he takes a holistic approach to natural capital and enjoys the collaboration with our forestry and energy and renewables teams. Matt is currently focussing on peatland restoration and woodland expansion opportunities in the Highlands.
Befriending Bracken
Competition for land in the rural sector is fierce. Really fierce. Is there actually space for all the farming, forestry, field sports, rewilding and recreation we want to do?
Delivering pioneering projects
Bidwells’ Natural Capital and Sustainable Investment team is delighted to be involved with the delivery of a Riverwoods project, which brings together a variety of stakeholders to deliver ecosystem improvements, financed using new mechanisms beyond traditional grants.
Uncovering the benefits of natural capital: a landowner’s view
By guest contributor, Susan Twining, CLA - The development of natural capital markets for environmental benefits has unlocked investment interest and funding opportunities for landowners. Farmers and land managers are facing major changes in agriculture policy.
What are the opportunities in Natural Capital Investment?
Whether you’re a developer looking to meet biodiversity net gain requirements or a landowner looking to make use of land with no development potential, natural capital investment provides a plethora of opportunities.
Overview of Natural Capital Markets
Matthew Hay and Lisa Bulmer from our Natural Capital and Sustainable Investment teams present on the opportunities within the Natural Capital marketplace.
Resurrecting Natural Capital: Ghost Woodlands
A focus on carbon credits is leading to new woodland creation being prioritised over the restoration and expansion of our remnant native woodlands. But the time has come to take a closer look at our so-called “ghost” woodlands and, where possible, to resurrect them.
Biodiversity’s Big Year?
If 2021 was a crucial year for our global response to climate breakdown, then maybe 2022 can be the biodiversity equivalent?
The reality of the UK’s net zero ambition: the role of carbon capture
In 2019, the UK and Scottish Governments made their commitments to net zero, with target dates of 2050 and 2045 respectively. Relatively, both countries are progressing well, with emissions falling faster than in other major developed economies. However, with 326m tonnes of ‘carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e)’ emitted in 2020, there is still a long road ahead.
Rural Outlook - 2022
Welcome to the 2022 edition of Rural Outlook. This edition concentrates on the opportunities which are available to landowners, with a particular focus on the Environment and Development.
Avoiding emissions or avoiding the problem? The case of peatland carbon
In a previous article, we outlined the £8.6 billion opportunity for private investment into peatland restoration - in Scotland alone. But as the rules and standards around corporate climate action evolve, there is a risk that certain types of nature-based solution are side-lined, because they reduce emissions rather than removing carbon from the atmosphere. Writes Matt Hay, Associate, Natural Capital & Sustainable Investment.
Transforming the management of a Highland estate to deliver for nature and the climate
