Home   News   Article

Nature jobs in peatland restoration are part of bid to battle climate change


By John Davidson

Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.



Click here to sign up to our free newsletters!
Sphagnum moss at Forsinard Flows. Picture: Lorne Gill/NatureScot/2020VISION
Sphagnum moss at Forsinard Flows. Picture: Lorne Gill/NatureScot/2020VISION

Nine new jobs in peatland restoration have been created to support nature-based approaches to tackle climate change in the wake of COP26.

NatureScot’s Peatland ACTION programme is expanding with the roles covering a wide range of skills, from land management and technical expertise to financial, project management and communications skills.

Recruitment is now under way for the positions, which will support the Scottish Government’s 10-year, £250 million commitment for peatland restoration.

The jobs boost was a key commitment in NatureScot’s action plan for nature-based jobs, which identified peatland restoration as an important area for growth.

The recent UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow highlighted the critical role that peatlands in good condition can play in naturally capturing and storing carbon.

As a “nature-based solution” to the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss, peatland restoration can help protect nature, improve water quality and contribute to the local economy.

Dubh locahn and blanket bog at Forsinard. Picture: Lorne Gill/SNH/2020VISION
Dubh locahn and blanket bog at Forsinard. Picture: Lorne Gill/SNH/2020VISION

Peter Hutchinson, Peatland ACTION programme manager, said: “Peatland restoration is a relatively new and growing sector in Scotland.

“In the last 10 years, NatureScot has built a highly dedicated team, growing from just 10 staff to more than 30. We are now looking to expand further to meet the growing ambition to restore Scotland’s peatlands, and we hope that these roles will be followed by more opportunities in the near future.

“This is a really exciting time to join us and be part of the green jobs revolution, working on projects that are making a real difference to tackling the twin crises of nature loss and climate change. Peatland restoration is not only a win for nature and climate, but also for job creation and for local communities across Scotland.”


Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More