Website to help businesses offset carbon footprint

The developers said the site ensures people receive a fair price for projects on their land

A website has been launched to pay landowners for projects that benefit nature, such as improving water quality and capturing carbon.

Cornwall LINC Nature Market enables businesses to offset their environmental impact and pay for projects which improve the environment in return for the biodiversity units they create.

Developed by EnTrade with support from Arup and the University of Exeter, the system works by matching organisations, projects and landowners and deciding a fair price for the trade.

Martyn Alvey, Cornwall's cabinet member for Environment and Climate Change, said: "This is a great opportunity for landowners to contribute to Cornwall's environmental goals while also benefiting financially."

'Fundamental rethink'

The Cornwall LINC Nature Market is being run by EnTrade which operates its own nature recovery marketplace, engineering and sustainability consultancy Arup and Cornwall Council.

Guy Thompson, managing director at EnTrade, said: "Nature is in crisis, and we need a fundamental rethink on how we fund nature recovery."

He added: "By bringing the EnTrade market mechanism to the Cornwall Natural Capital Exchange we will unlock private investment to restore local ecosystems, support farmers and drive sustainable land management, ensuring long-term environmental and economic benefits for the region."