This plan is the first in a series of rolling five-year plans designed to deliver Scotland’s long-term vision for peatland restoration. It aims to help the partnership focus on the right priorities, at the right time as we progress toward our proposed 2040 restoration target.
The draft Climate Change Plan (CCP) 2026-2040[1] sets out the Scottish Government’s strategic vision for peatlands. By 2040, Scotland will be internationally recognised for its restored and resilient peatlands, where sustainable and diversified land use supports nature recovery, empowers communities, and drives a dynamic green economy. This transformation will be enabled through integrated stewardship, responsible management, public support and private investment.
The draft CCP’s peatland policies prioritise the protection, management, and restoration of Scotland’s peatlands, underpinned by robust evidence and world-class research to support effective action. Healthy peatlands are vital for Scotland’s climate and nature goals and also offer key natural benefits – they store carbon, support biodiversity and nature, reduce the risk of flooding and wildfires and improve drinking water quality. Peatland restoration offers a growing source of skilled jobs for rural communities, and seasonal opportunities for existing rural workers. It is also the primary means of reducing peatland greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with restoration efforts focussed on rewetting, reprofiling, stabilising and revegetating dry or damaged peatlands. Degraded peatlands require several years to recover and achieve the full potential for emissions reduction after restoration activities are complete.[2]
The Scottish Government is aiming to restore more than 400,000 hectares by 2040. This new target reflects an increase in ambition, and acknowledges the work still needed to grow this relatively young industry.
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