Building on strong foundations: the next chapter for Wilder Carbon
Helen Gillespie-Brown Business Development Manager
Wilder Carbon was created with an ambitious purpose: to help unlock high-integrity private finance for nature recovery and climate action in the UK.
Since its creation, we have worked with Wildlife Trusts, landowners, project developers, businesses and other partners to demonstrate how investment in nature can deliver meaningful, measurable and long-term benefits for climate, biodiversity and people.
As Wilder Carbon enters its next chapter, that purpose remains firmly at the heart of what we do.
Recognising an important contribution
Two senior members of the Wilder Carbon team – our Managing Director and Programme Director – have recently left the organisation.
Both played an important role in the creation and development of Wilder Carbon Ltd and the Wilder Carbon Standard for Nature & Climate. We are hugely grateful for their contribution, expertise and commitment, and wish them every success for the future.
Their work, alongside that of many colleagues, partners, advisers and governance members, has helped establish strong foundations from which Wilder Carbon can continue to develop.
Built for the long term
Wilder Carbon has always been about more than any one individual.
The Wilder Carbon Standard for Nature & Climate, our governance arrangements, project partnerships and relationships with organisations investing in high-integrity nature recovery provide a strong platform for the future.
Our existing work and commitments continue, as does our focus on ensuring that integrity for nature and climate remains central to everything we do.
To date Wilder Carbon has facilitated 6 live projects covering 433 hectares delivering over £2,000,000 of investment in nature recovery and locking up over 275,000 tCO2e with so much more to come.
Looking ahead
The need to restore nature and tackle climate change has not diminished – and neither has our ambition.
As we look ahead, our focus is on strengthening what has already been built and growing Wilder Carbon's impact over time.
That means continuing to support high-quality nature recovery projects, developing relationships with organisations committed to responsible climate action, strengthening the community around Wilder Carbon and ultimately helping to increase the flow of private finance into UK nature recovery.
We are proud of what Wilder Carbon and its partners have achieved so far, and excited about the opportunity to build upon those foundations.
There is much more to do – and we look forward to working with our partners, buyers and wider community on the next chapter of Wilder Carbon.
If you have any specific questions please take a look at our FAQs below that might cover those, and if not and you wish to reach out for further clarification, please email Helen Gillespie-Brown directly at helen.gillespie-brown@wildercarbon.com.
Wilder Carbon Leadership Transition – Q&A
Why have the Managing Director and Programme Director both left Wilder Carbon?
Both individuals have now left Wilder Carbon and we are grateful for the significant contribution they made to establishing and developing the organisation. We don't comment publicly on individual employment circumstances, but we wish them both every success for the future.
Does this mean there are problems at Wilder Carbon?
No. Wilder Carbon continues to operate and remains committed to its purpose of supporting high-integrity nature recovery and climate action. Like many developing organisations, Wilder Carbon will evolve over time, including changes in personnel and leadership.
Is Wilder Carbon continuing?
Yes. Wilder Carbon Ltd continues, as does our work with projects, buyers, partners and the wider Wilder Carbon community.
Who is now responsible for Wilder Carbon?
Wilder Carbon continues with its existing robust Governance arrangement currently, with support and direction from the Wilder Carbon Board and Kent Wildlife Trust with external guardianship of the Wilder Carbon Standard for Nature & Climate by the Wilder Carbon Technical Standards Board and Advisory groups in the form of the Data Measurement Monitoring Reporting and Verification Group and the Corporate Claims Advisory Group.
Does this affect the Wilder Carbon Standard for Nature & Climate?
The Wilder Carbon Standard for Nature & Climate continues to provide the framework underpinning Wilder Carbon projects. The Standard is supported by established governance and technical oversight arrangements rather than being dependent upon individual members of staff.
Will existing projects or buyer agreements be affected?
Our existing contractual commitments and relationships continue. We remain focused on working closely with our project partners and buyers and delivering against our commitments.
What happens next?
Our immediate priority is continuity for our projects, buyers and partners. Beyond that, we remain ambitious about Wilder Carbon's potential to grow its impact over time, support more high-quality nature recovery and help increase responsible private investment in UK nature recovery.