Peatland Expert Advisory Group minutes: October 2025

Attendees and apologies

• Catherine Williams - Deputy Director, Onshore Electricity, Strategy & Consents, Scottish Government
• Donald Henderson - Deputy Director, Natural Resources, Scottish Government
• Matthew Williams - Chief Scientific Advisor - Natural Resources and Agriculture, Scottish Government
• Darren Hemsley - NatureScot
• Peter Hutchinson - NatureScot
• Craig Smith - NatureScot
• Emma Hinchcliffe - IUCN Peatland Programme
• Andy Gillan - RJ McLeod
• Irene Tierney - IMTECO Ltd
• Morag Watson - Scottish Renewables
• Megan Amundson - Scottish Renewables
• Jamie Blair - Scottish Renewables 
• Mark Mulqueeney - SSE Renewables
• Rachel short – ScottishPower
• Emma Taylor – SEPA
• Karen Dobbie – SEPA
• Jane McMilan – SPEN
• Emily Johns - SSEN Transmission 
• Jo Ellis - Forestry and Land Scotland
• 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

• Andy Mills – East Point Geo
• Roxane Anderson – University of Highlands & Islands
• Claire Campbell – SEPA
• Paul Taylor – NatureScot
• Robbie Kernahan – NatureScot
• Simon Brooks – NatureScot
• Matt Aitkenhead – James Hutton Institute
• Rosie Simpson – John Muir Trust

Items and actions

Welcome and Introductions 

The Scottish Government co-chair, Catherine Williams welcomed attendees and new members of the group introduced themselves.

The Chair ran through the agenda for the meeting and noted that the group had a twenty four month lifespan under the terms of reference. The chair opened up to the group for any comments on this.

Scottish Government provide update on Cabinet Secretary’s decision on the 1:10 restoration ratio

Notification was sent out last week regarding the Cabinet Secretary’s decision to maintain advice on the 1:10 peatland restoration ratio. The chair opened up the group for any comments on this.

Scottish Renewables representative questioned what evidence was provided to support this decision and if it would be possible to share this with the group. They also commented that if the information was not shared they would submit an FOI request.

The Scottish Government officials will take this request into consideration but it may be the case that provision of advice is exempt from FOI.

NatureScot to provide update on the agreed changes to guidance  

A draft of amended guidance had been shared with the group. These changes were based on the output of the PEAG technical sub-group.

The guidance draws out circumstances where 1:10 peatland restoration ratio may not be appropriate.

It was pointed out that some of the language in the updated guidance differed from what had been reviewed by the sub-group. It was suggested that a final review should be undertaken by PEAG members by end of November.

NatureScot have been able to increase their resource which means that they are able to provide training  on application of the guidance.

NatureScot keen to understand if application of guidance has been an issue.

Industry representatives believe that flexibility is not being applied to guidance currently.

It would be helpful if group members could collate data on cases where 1:10 restoration ratio has been rigidly enforced and where it has been deviated from.

The Peatland Standard has been updated and will be consulted on at end of March 26, providing opportunity for stakeholders to input.

The Peatland Standard will look to bring together the various pieces of guidance relating to peatland protection, management and restoration.

NatureScot welcome views through the consultation and will make PEAG members aware when goes live. It was suggested that any guidance be shared early in development stages before consultation.

Additional topics that have not been included in the updated guidance are cumulative effects on developments on peatland, buffer impact distance, priority habitats and need for national peatland accounting. Further research may be required.

NatureScot to provide an update on development of the Biodiversity Metric  

NatureScot provided a presentation on the Biodiversity Metric for Scotland’s planning system.

NPF4 Policy 3 requires projects to deliver biodiversity enhancement but does not mandate a target in the same way that the English system does. The biodiversity metric will be a useful tool that can encourage best practice and provide confidence to developers.

The existing English metric does not work for peatlands.

Work has been commissioned to assess and update UK habitat classifications.

NatureScot have been engaging with wide group of stakeholders and want to keep that engagement going, either bi-lateral engagement or in groups if more appropriate.

Consultation on the biodiversity metric is expected mid-2026. This will be a beta model which people can trial. Final version is expected in 2027.

A supportive framework and guidance will be developed to support users and decision makers.

It was suggested that accompanying case studies would be helpful.

There is a risk that the lack of certainty could slow down decision making process as currently there is a lot of time spent going back and forward.

The DEFRA metric only includes direct impacts but a Scottish version would also include in-direct impacts.

Ministers have repeatedly pointed out that decision making should be based on all of NPF4 and biodiversity is one element.

Carbon Calculator

RESAS provided a presentation with an update on key developments of the Carbon Calculator. 

The previous CXC review of the carbon calculator highlighted areas which could improve accuracy and usability of the carbon calculator tool.

RESAS are currently developing specifications for next phase of research which will deliver on the previous recommendations.

There is a potential opportunity to work on a shared project with DEFRA, which could provide bigger budget and attract more bids to carry out the work. It would also provide consistent approach across Scotland and England.

The specification is currently in development and the expected start date is April 2026 with the project ending after two years in March 2028. 

PEAG members with interest in participating in steering group should contact RESAS.

Outstanding issues and way forward

There are two issues which have not yet been covered:

• Waste peat
• Repowering

SEPA have been working with the technical sub-group to align definitions. 

The question of additionality needs to be considered and 2017 guidance should be reviewed.

SEPA guidance has focus on minimisation and avoidance of peat disturbance. SEPA are currently focussing on waste regularity guidance.

Final comment

There needs to be visibility and engagement on the ongoing workstreams of NatureScot, SEPA and on the Carbon Calculator.

Scottish Government officials welcome any reflections on the meeting.

Actions

• Updated draft of NatureScot guidance to be reviewed by PEAG members before the end of November.
• NatureScot to meet with SSE and SP to discuss guidance.
• SG and NatureScot to work on appropriate engagement with PEAG stakeholders on the Biodiversity Metric and NatureScot to also consider if a specific focus group is needed.
• NatureScot to provide statement on purpose of the Peatland Standard.
• PEAG members to gather data on examples where 1:10 guidance is being rigidly enforced and where deviated from.
• Peatland policy team to consider national peatland accounting.
• Work with NatureScot to ensure appropriate engagement with PEAG members in development of biodiversity metric.