Peatland Expert Advisory Group minutes: October 2024

Attendees and apologies

• Christopher Mackie - Deputy Director, Onshore electricity, Strategy & Consents, Scottish Government
• Megan Amundson - Scottish Renewables
• Andy Gillan - RJ McLeod
• Emma Hinchcliffe - International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Peatland Programme
• Andy Mills - East Point Geo
• Roxane Anderson - University of Highlands & Islands
• Mark Mulqueeney - SSE Renewables
• Jo Ellis - Forestry and Land Scotland
• Claire Campbell - SEPA
• Emma Taylor - SEPA
• Darren Hemsley - NatureScot
• Paul Taylor - NatureScot
• Craig Smith - NatureScot
• Irene Tierney - IMTECO Ltd
• Planning, Architecture and Regeneration Division - Scottish Government
• Rural and Environmental Science and Analytical Services - Scottish Government
• Peatland Policy - Scottish Government
• Renewable Electricity Policy - Scottish Government

Apologies

• Donald Henderson - Deputy Director, Natural Resources, Scottish Government
• Matthew Williams - Chief Scientific Advisor - Natural Resources and Agriculture, Scottish Government
• Morag Watson - Scottish Renewables
• Robbie Kernahan - NatureScot
• Simon Brooks - NatureScot
• Peter Hutchinson - NatureScot
• Karen Dobbie – SEPA
• Matt Aitkenhead - James Hutton Institute
• Rosie Simpson - John Muir Trust 

Items and actions

Welcome, Introductions

The Scottish Government co-chair, Chris Mackie welcomed attendees and passed on apologies of those who could not attend.

The Chair ran through the agenda for the meeting.

Minutes of last meeting

Members in attendance were content with the minutes from the last meeting.

Forward look – review of the timeline for delivery of PEAG objectives

Scottish Government, Peatland Policy Officials, delivered a brief presentation with a timeline for the delivery of PEAG objectives.

The origins of the group and the Terms of Reference were set out showing the group to have a lifespan of 24 months and will conclude in June 2025. (PEAG 1 - June 2023 - close June 2025).

The work that is underway or complete, through the PEAG subgroup, and the next steps for the PEAG were also set out.

Some concerns were raised about how the work of the PEAG is going and the outputs of the subgroup in moving towards the objectives of the PEAG. It was acknowledged that the objectives of the group are not always easy to align with wider priorities of the group members and further discussion will be required to find suitable compromise.

Update / future pathway to a Scottish planning metric

NatureScot presented a paper on their project to develop a biodiversity metric for Scotland's planning system and outlined the proposed process for progressing metric-related peatland and how they are taking this work forward.

The key stages were set out with stakeholder meetings and a proposed approach paper being developed with the paper being refined, taking account of PEAG feedback, and the paper then being resubmitted to PEAG. Agreement will be sought from PEAG on the proposed approach that should be taken forward into metric tool development.

Subsequent phases of the Scottish biodiversity metric project will then include consultation on draft tool and associated guidance, tool finalisation and capacity building, and publication of biodiversity metric tool and supporting guidance.

Onshore wind industry has been developing their own understanding on ecology of peatland and NatureScot indicated that they would be happy to engage with industry experts.

NatureScot presented a second paper on the research proposal of peatland restoration evidence to consider in adapting the English biodiversity metric risk multipliers for Scotland.

The English biodiversity metric includes a difficulty risk multiplier and a temporal risk multiplier.

The review will learn from the experience of peatland enhancement and creation in Scotland. It will be based on the most up to date available evidence relevant to Scottish Peatlands, including both published scientific literature and, data and evidence provided by industry practitioners.

It was suggested that having one source of evidence would be fundamental in developing a shared understanding within the group. Group members will investigate potential funding for research which could deliver this.

Update from task-group on guidance

NatureScot’s peatland guidance includes advice on a 1:10 offsetting ratio for peatland habitats. They have suggested that this ratio is supported by outputs of the English statutory biodiversity metric. They detailed how the outputs of the English metric have helped to support the basis of that 1:10 ratio recommendation.

The subgroup has been considering three options regarding the peatland restoration ratio but to date there has not been agreement on a preferred approach.

The subgroup sought the support from the PEAG to explore option two further. This would retain the 1:10 ratio but allow flexibility under certain circumstances.

This was discussed and it became clear there were wider issues that needed to be considered by the group and there were differing views on the purpose of the guidance.

It was agreed these issues would be considered further, and the chair agreed to set out some next steps on how to progress.

Next steps for carbon calculator

Scottish Government, Rural and Environmental Science and Analytical Services Officials, provided a short update on the next steps for carbon calculator.

The key finding from the review of the carbon calculator was that it should be updated to reflect current policy and most up to date scientific understanding.

PEAG members were invited to feedback on the recommendations of the report through correspondence.

Update on re-use of excavated peat research project

Scottish Government Rural and Environmental Science and Analytical Services Officials provided a brief update on re-use of excavated peat research project.

The key aim is to look at how peat is currently excavated and re-used within development, looking for opportunities to re-use that are not currently utilised and are doing a cost benefit analysis from an environmental standpoint. This will inform guidance and best practice.

Will undertake stakeholder engagement and evidence assessment.

Aiming to complete by the end of March 2025.

Any other business

SSEN and Scottish Power renewables have expressed an interest in joining the PEAG. There were suggestions on opening it up further to other organisations.

Actions

The Scottish Government to look at how to resolve concerns on meeting the objectives and how the PEAG and subgroup is best optimised.

The Co-Chairs to come back to the PEAG group with a proposal to resolve the issues raised at the meeting and set out some next steps.