# Managing agricultural systems on lowland peat for reduced GHG emissions

> Contract award record from UK public-sector procurement sources.

## Key facts

- Public buyer: Defra Network eTendering Portal
- Contract winner: Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
- Award value: £518,484
- Tender value: £518,484
- Award date: 4 January 2019
- Published: 25 March 2019
- Contract start: 25 February 2019
- Contract end: 31 January 2021
- Stage: awarded
- Procurement category: services
- Notice ID: 030a30cf-204e-4956-be1f-9bcd6765d41d-278049
- OCID: ocds-b5fd17-334a729a-f43b-46dc-a99d-0ad72952b468

## Description

A key objective in Defra's 25 year environment plan is to reduce greenhouse gas \(GHG\) emissions from agriculture and help contribute to UK Climate Change Act 2008 commitments as part of domestic efforts to mitigate climate change\. Lowland peat under intensive arable agriculture in England is one of the UK's largest land-use derived source of carbon dioxide \(CO2\) emissions1\. Reducing emissions from cultivated peatlands could potentially contribute to reducing total emissions to a greater extent than blanket bog restoration on a per hectare basis, where the main focus has been previously, and therefore could generate significant emissions savings at a UK scale\. However, much of this is high grade agricultural land \(due in part to its historic and ongoing drainage\) and in order to support Defra's ambition to promote profitable but sustainable food production we need to explore mitigation measures which effectively reduce GHG emissions but do not require land to be taken out of agricultural production; and are sustainable under a changing climate\. Research is required to evaluate potential greenhouse gas mitigation measures \(with a focus on water table management\) on lowland peat arable and horticultural agricultural systems for their impact on emissions, productivity and the wider environment\. The focus should be on mitigating CO2 emissions from the peat soil without leading to increases in other GHG emissions or loss pathways\. Aims: - To evaluate the viability of paludiculture as an alternative agricultural system on lowland peat - To develop greater understanding of the impact on other greenhouse gas mitigation measures on reducing emissions from lowland peat, the wider environment, and agriculture productivity\. - To assess the practicality of these mitigation measures including any socio-economic barriers which may exist; - To provide evidence to help support delivery options for the peatland strategy Additional information: Please note that Defra procurement uses an E-tendering system for Procurement activities\. This is currently provided by Bravo Solutions\. To access appropriate tendering and contractual documents, please access the E-Tendering portal at https://defra\.bravosolution\.co\.uk, ensuring that your registration includes "Defra"\. If you have any problems with this system, please contact Bravo on their telephone helpline number 0800 368 4850 or by emailing them at help@bravosolution\.co\.uk\.

## Related contract awards

- [National EA Estates Professional Surveying Framework](/contracts/ocds-b5fd17-9191aaea-5356-4bdc-a3e1-af6b3670e583): Defra Network eTendering Portal
- [Parliamentary Monitoring Service](/contracts/ocds-b5fd17-a6ea66bd-b313-46f9-a02a-2c5007aa1856): Defra Network eTendering Portal
- [Provision of Geological Products](/contracts/ocds-b5fd17-8d85b0c1-45ff-4562-9d99-6009685196de): Defra Network eTendering Portal
- [Support for National Air Pollution Control Strategies 2018-2020](/contracts/ocds-b5fd17-8a58cd67-e4fc-4e00-b4eb-b5617d1b84ed): Defra Network eTendering Portal
- [Evidence Review on the Contribution of Anaerobic Digestion Technologies](/contracts/ocds-b5fd17-3335c0d1-a303-4deb-9676-06415d26dde5): Defra Network eTendering Portal
- [Innovative approach to monitoring soil health in England and Wales](/contracts/ocds-b5fd17-47f147c4-2bf5-4329-a201-7f5ad2d72bc7): Defra Network eTendering Portal

## Source

[View the original notice on Contracts Finder](https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/030a30cf-204e-4956-be1f-9bcd6765d41d-278049)