The OECD Rural Agenda for Climate Action

Peatland ACTION is a programme delivering peatland restoration projects across Scotland to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss. Funding comes through the  Scottish Government’s ambitions Climate Change Path to net zero . The programme is delivered through a partnership of five government agencies. NatureScot, a non-governmental public service organisation, is taking the lead in a number of the programme’s functions. Peatlands are terrestrial wetland environments where the peat – a dark brown substance like soil – is waterlogged for most of the year. 80% of the UK’s peatlands, the majority of which are in Scotland, are estimated to be in poor condition. In their natural state, peatlands represent the single most important terrestrial soil carbon store. Yet, activities such as artificial drainage, forestry, over-grazing and extraction, result in the peatlands emitting carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases (GHG), thereby contributing to climate change. In addition, other benefits of healthy peatlands such as source-water quality, flood management and addressing wildfire risks are much reduced. The UK’s GHG inventory estimates that degraded peatlands are contributing over 15% of Scotland’s GHG emissions. To reverse this trend and ensure that peatlands act as a carbon storage, Peatland ACTION provides funding to land managers to restore peatlands as well as advisory services, project design and restoration management. It also acts as a capacity builder, providing guidance and training, and awareness-raising events on the benefits of peatland restoration. The aim of restoration is to stabilise the peat and restore its hydrological function. Since 2012, Peatland ACTION has helped to put 35,000 hectares of peatland on the road to restoration (up to end of March 2023). In 2020, the Scottish Government set out a new commitment to invest £250 million over 10 years to support the restoration of a total of 250,000 hectares by 2030.  

Peatland ACTION funds up to 100% of all the capital work associated with peatland restoration, making the restoration process cost-neutral for land managers. The Peatland Code, part of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) UK Peatland Programme, allows landowners and land managers to market the climate benefits of peatland restoration (carbon offsets). Restoration takes place in all parts of Scotland, on public land as well as privately owned land and land held by NGOs. Peatland ACTION additionally provides a wide range of support measures to help landowners and land managers during the process. This includes a dedicated project officer that helps applicants in completing their application for funding, organising survey work, designing restoration activities and advising on peatland management best practice. As part of its advisory functions, NatureScot Peatland ACTION also compiled a  technical compendium for restoration techniques  to help designers and contractors deliver good practice. Further guidance is also available to help land managers gain a greater understanding of good practice peatland management.  

Peatland ACTION supports and assists in the implementation of nature-based solution to tackle the twin climate and biodiversity emergencies. Restoring peatlands reduces the loss of GHG from the peatlands thereby helping to reduce their contribution to the effects of climate change. When in good condition, peatlands also provide a wide range of other benefits, including hosting rare plants, invertebrates, and birds, acting as a natural flood risk management system by regulating water flow and improving soil stability. They also improve source water quality for drinking water reservoirs, fisheries, and hydro-schemes. Additionally, peatland restoration benefits farming and sporting practices through mutually beneficial grazing regimes and an abundance of invertebrates on which grouse feed. It also supports the economy through farming, sporting interests or tourism or by indirectly benefiting whisky production and fisheries.  The benefits are manifold, and Peatland ACTION is working towards greater public appreciation of those benefits. Applications to Peatland ACTION for funding are voluntary which reduces the urgency and, consequently, the speed at which some land managers engage in peatland restoration activities. Additionally, land managers need to consider peatland restoration alongside other land use and business activities which can add complex management structures and turn off the attractiveness of peatland restoration.