What's happened
Scotland has achieved its highest annual peatland restoration figure yet, with 15,448 hectares restored in 2025-26 as part of the Peatland ACTION programme, highlighting the scale of work to restore carbon stores, improve water quality and support biodiversity.
What's behind the headline?
The ongoing drive to restore peatlands is shaping Scotland’s climate strategy. The record year signals progress toward balancing emissions with nature-based solutions. It also raises questions about long-term funding and the role of private investment. Expect continued expansion of partnerships like NatureScot and Forestry and Land Scotland as they scale restoration across landscapes.
What this means for readers: restoration improves carbon storage, water quality, and biodiversity, potentially reducing flood risk and creating rural jobs. The pace and funding will influence future policy decisions and local community outcomes.
How we got here
Peatlands cover about 66% of the UK’s peatlands and store significant carbon. The 2025-26 figure comes as ministers push to meet a 2030 restoration target of 250,000 hectares, amid debates over cost-effectiveness and carbon-credit schemes.
Our analysis
The Scotsman, Katharine Hay, reporting on the peatland restoration figures and ministerial statements; The Guardian provides contextual history of Kielder Forest’s conservation and climate resilience strategy.
Go deeper
- How will Scotland fund the 2030 peatland target?
- Which regions benefit most from restoration work this year?
- What are the implications for local communities and wildlife?
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