A NEW Fife-based business is promising to act as a guide for organisations and businesses setting out on the carbon-offsetting journey.

Akre, founded by Renwick Drysdale, is an evolution of the woodland creation consultancy, Kilrie Trees, created following a £2m private funding package.

The new company claims to include the world’s first verified carbon negative tree nursery, alongside a natural capital consultancy and exchange, with six staff working alongside experienced horticulture consultant, Rodney Shearer.

Mr Drysdale sees surging demand for carbon-offsetting and habitat restoration, with Scotland’s peatland and tracts of poor quality agricultural land putting the country at the epicentre of rewilding and carbon-sequestration.

He recently helped to advise the high-profile Abrdn acquisition of 1500 hectares of the Cairngorm National Park. A majority of the 1.5 million broadleaf trees for that project will be grown at the Akre tree nursery located near Kirkcaldy, which uses an innovative combination of environmental controls, including LED lighting, to optimise quality and improve the efficiency of production. Running on a solar power and battery system as well as a rain water collection system, the nursery is self-sufficient and exports green energy.

Mr Drysdale said: “Our mission is to help businesses help the planet – and to help transform our clients’ relationship with nature from extractive to restorative.

“We design bespoke nature-based strategies, delivering and managing ecological restoration plans for businesses, funds, communities and private investors.

“What this means is that we are a single contact and solution for firms looking to offset emissions to have a positive impact on the environment we all rely on," he said. "We exist to help landowners and businesses alike, justify and implement restoration work while meeting net zero targets.

“We can grow and plant the trees before assisting clients with the process of registering carbon credits while reporting on the co-benefits of planting to habitat, flood risk mitigation and amenity.”

Renwick has been planting trees since the age of seven on the family farm in Fife. After completing his undergraduate degree he embarked on a career managing operations in 10 countries over a seven year period, before returning to complete a masters in Ecological Economics at the University of Edinburgh. His team consists of experts in forestry, woodland creation and horticulture with a combined experience of over 100 years.

He added: “The business has grown out of a sheer demand from people who want to make the most of their environmental potential. Whether it be through forestry, restoration, tree planting or natural capital trading, there is a host of ways businesses small or large can work towards a greener world – and Akre is very excited to play a big part in that.”