ELEMIS x RSPB: How Our Partnership is Restoring Nature’s Hidden Superpower

Peatlands might not have the same bright visual appeal of coral reefs or rainforests, but these extraordinary ecosystems are nature’s powerhouses:

• They can store twice as much carbon as all the world’s forests combined*
• They filter our water naturally, improving water quality
• They provide critical habitat for plants and wildlife

Despite covering just 10% of the UK’s land area, peatlands store a significant amount of carbon. But the shocking reality is that the UK has lost more than half of its biodiversity since the 1970s, making it one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world.**

We are proud to be the first beauty company to join forces with the RSPB on a long-term peatland restoration project. ELEMIS has supported the protection and maintenance of 14 hectares of precious peatland habitat at The Cutting, part of the RSPB’s Forsinard Flows Nature Reserve in Scotland, UK. The Cutting was extensively damaged in the 1960’s, but through our partnership and support from other organisations, this vital ecosystem is being reborn. Our support allows the RSPB to:

• Monitor the restored area in-person and with aerial photogrammetry
• Repair and rebuild dams and gullies
• Check peat depth to ensure the bog stays healthy
• Measure biodiversity improvements by surveying rare bird species

In July 2024, the Flow Country received UNESCO World Heritage Site status, becoming the first ever peat bog to be awarded this. The announcement was so significant that His Majesty King Charles III visited Forsinard to unveil a plaque to commemorate the Flow Country’s new status.

We are proud to be the first beauty company to join forces with the RSPB on a long-term peatland restoration project.

ELEMIS has supported the protection and maintenance of 14 hectares of precious peatland habitat at The Cutting, part of the RSPB’s Forsinard Flows Nature Reserve in Scotland, UK. The Cutting was extensively damaged in the 1960’s, but through our partnership and support from other organisations, this vital ecosystem is being reborn. Our support allows the RSPB to:

• ELEMIS’ support has ensured The Cutting remains in excellent condition, allowing vegetation to flourish and attracting at-risk wading birds like Dunlins and Greenshanks
• Our work is helping avoid 1,500 tonnes of carbon emissions over 65 years
• Frogspawn was recorded in some of the pools formed by dams and a couple of Red Grouse, a declining species, were also seen at The Cutting

This project’s impact will last for generations thanks to our partnership and will help tackle the nature and climate emergency. These restored peatlands will continue to capture carbon, purify water, and provide habitats for endangered species.

We look forward to continuing our important work with the RSPB, restoring and protecting the ecosystems we all rely on.

Discover More About Our Sustainability Journey And Commitments.