Scotland has marked a significant environmental milestone, restoring more than 14,000 hectares of degraded peatlands in the last year alone. This record-breaking achievement contributes substantially to the nation's efforts to reduce carbon emissions and restore vital biodiversity.

Peatlands, which cover nearly two million hectares and constitute two-thirds of the UK's total, are crucial wet land areas that support important biodiversity, improve water quality, and reduce flood severity. However, almost three-quarters of Scotland’s peatlands are currently degraded.

The Scottish Government has committed £250 million to restore 250,000 hectares of peatlands by 2030, with an interim target of 110,000 hectares by 2026. Since 1990, a total of 90,000 hectares have been restored, with 14,860 hectares completed specifically during the 2024-25 financial year, a new annual record.

Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie announced the achievement on World Peatlands Day: "I am very pleased to report Scotland’s Peatland ACTION partnership has put 14,860 hectares of degraded peatlands on the road to recovery last year. This is a new record in one year. Restoring peatland benefits our environment by reducing emissions, reducing risks of flooding and wildfires and improving water quality, it also invests in people and skills, creating green jobs in rural communities." Fairlie noted this figure exceeds the 2024 Programme for Government commitment and represents a 42% increase over the 10,360 hectares restored in 2023-24, thanking all partners for their sustained efforts.


Nick Halfhide, NatureScot Interim Chief Executive, confirmed their significant role, stating, "As key partners in the Scottish Government's Peatland ACTION Partnership, NatureScot has successfully facilitated 65% of the restoration work completed in 2024-25. This significant achievement contributes substantially towards the overall target of 250,000 hectares of degraded peatland being put on the road to recovery by 2030. Restoring Scotland's degraded peatlands is essential to addressing both the climate and nature emergencies – it makes a vitally important contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions while providing broader benefits for biodiversity and water quality."

Forestry and Land Scotland, another key delivery partner, also surpassed its yearly target by restoring 1744 hectares of peatland in the past year. CEO Kevin Quinlan said: "Forestry and Land Scotland is proud to be supporting the Scottish Government’s commitment to restoring 250,000 hectares of peatlands by 2030 as a key delivery partner in the Peatland ACTION Partnership. Every site we restore adds to the scale of the contribution we make in efforts to transform and restore one of Scotland’s largest degraded ecosystems to create a far healthier landscape."