Develop the targeting of peatland restoration for cost-effective delivery (i.e. identifying priority restoration projects) including for greater private investment in peatland restoration.
Objective 5: Invest in nature
Priority Action 24. Drive increased investment in Biodiversity and Nature Restoration.
Targeting of peatland restoration in Scotland is being delivered through the Peatland ACTION programme, which prioritises sites based on ecological condition, carbon savings potential, and feasibility of restoration. Scottish Government and NatureScot materials confirm that this includes work to improve spatial targeting and cost-effectiveness, including identifying high-priority degraded peatland areas suitable for intervention.
The programme operates through a combination of public funding (Nature Restoration Fund / Peatland ACTION) and emerging private finance mechanisms, including carbon market-linked investment, although private investment remains a developing component rather than a fully scaled delivery stream.
Published guidance indicates that project selection is based on evidence-led site assessment and mapping of peatland condition, with prioritisation focused on areas where restoration can deliver the greatest carbon and ecological benefit per unit cost. However, there is limited consolidated public reporting on the total extent to which improved targeting has increased overall delivery efficiency or attracted sustained private investment at scale.
Peatland restoration is strongly supported by Scottish Government and NatureScot evidence as one of the most effective nature-based solutions for carbon storage, water regulation, and biodiversity recovery, particularly for upland habitats.
Targeting restoration to priority degraded peatland sites improves ecological outcomes by focusing interventions where they can most effectively:
– reduce carbon emissions from degraded peat
– restore bog habitat structure and function
– support specialist peatland species and associated biodiversity
However, while site prioritisation improves potential efficiency and impact, ecological outcomes depend on scale of delivery, long-term maintenance, and successful establishment of restored hydrological conditions. Evidence of system-wide ecological improvement from improved targeting alone is not yet fully demonstrated in published outcomes reporting.
NatureScot – Peatland ACTION programme
Scottish Government – Peatland ACTION five year partnership plan 2025 – 2030
Maintain and seek to increase investment in nature restoration through our £65 million Nature Restoration Fund.
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