In Scotland, a new wave of landlords is buying historic estates, not for traditional pursuits, but to cultivate forests and sell carbon credits. This emerging trend, driven by energy firms and private equity, raises concerns about the concentration of land ownership and its environmental impact. Locals have dubbed these new owners 'green lairds,’ reflecting apprehension about the sincerity of their eco-friendly initiatives. Alarmingly, just 421 entities control half of Scotland's private rural land, illuminating the power dynamics and implications of the ongoing 'green rush'.
A new class of landlords in Scotland is acquiring estates to cultivate forests and sell carbon credits, prompting fears of land ownership concentration.
Energy companies and private equity funds have become 'natural capital' speculators, incentivized by the Scottish government to plant forests and restore peatlands.
The locals refer to the new owners as 'green lairds,' reflecting skepticism about the environmental benefits and land ownership implications of the trend.
Only 421 families, trusts, and corporations own half of the private rural land in Scotland, raising concerns about the impact of these new buyers.
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