British firms Inturf, Paynes Turf and Rigby Taylor have jointly launched a new slow growing turf that, they say can sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide at a much higher rate than many other types of vegetation.

The growers say the Carbon Capture Turf is able to sequester 13 tonnes of atmospheric carbon dioxide per hectare each year, within two and a half years of laying. This compares with two tonnes for 25 year old deciduous woodland and 11 tonnes for coniferous forest after the same period. The turf also stores a further 47 tonnes of carbon dioxide per hectare in its roots each year.

The producers also say the turf’s slow rate of growth reduces maintenance costs and producing fewer clippings. It will be available from this spring.

“Turfgrass already plays an important part in the designed landscape by providing the green open spaces which many people – especially city dwellers – long for,” said Brian Robinson, Rigby Taylor’s director of seed research. “Carbon Capture Turf enhances the part which turf can play in designing sustainable landscapes with its ability to make an immediate, measurable, and dramatic impact on carbon sequestration and on maintenance costs.”