Manchester researchers win Bezos Earth Fund prize for climate innovation
A research team led by The University of Manchester’s Dr Jonathan Ritson has been awarded a prestigious Bezos Earth Fund Greenhouse Gas Removal Ideation Prize for their research into enhancing carbon capture and reducing methane emissions through the strategic use of Sphagnum moss in peatland restoration.
Peatlands are vital ecosystems that store more carbon per hectare than tropical rainforests. Central to this carbon storage is Sphagnum moss, which aids in peat formation as well as supporting bacteria that consume methane – a potent greenhouse gas. However, human activities have led to the decline of Sphagnum in many peatlands, diminishing their capacity to sequester carbon and mitigate methane emissions.
Dr Ritson’s team aims to reverse this trend by identifying and cultivating ‘super’ strains of Sphagnum moss. These optimised mosses are selected for their ability to thrive in wet environments, rapidly absorb carbon dioxide, and effectively reduce methane emissions. By reintroducing these superior strains into degraded peatlands, the project seeks to enhance the natural greenhouse gas removal capabilities of these ecosystems.
The project involves constructing innovative bubble column test rigs to simulate natural conditions and measure the effectiveness of different Sphagnum species in capturing carbon and removing methane. The most efficient strains will be propagated and deployed in peatland restoration efforts, targeting areas that are significant sources of methane emissions.
“I’m absolutely thrilled that we’ve been awarded this prize. It’s a valuable recognition of the critical role peatland restoration plays in greenhouse gas removal,” said Dr Ritson.
The Bezos Earth Fund – established by Amazon’s founder and former CEO Jeff Bezos in 2020 – is dedicated to supporting efforts that combat climate change and protect nature. With a $10 billion commitment, the fund seeks to drive innovative solutions, catalyse new technologies and promote systemic change to preserve the planet for future generations.
The Bezos Earth Fund announced the $1m Ideation Prize to Accelerate Greenhouse Gas Removal Technology in January 2024, as part of the Fund’s broader Greenhouse Gas Removal initiative. The Prize, as managed by the Experiment Foundation, received more than 700 submissions from around the world. The University of Manchester’s project ‘Peatland Restoration: Optimizing Sphagnum Moss for Enhanced Carbon Sequestration and Methane Reduction’ was chosen as one of the 13 winning proposals.
For more information, please visit the Experiment Foundation’s website.
