Rural Support Plan (RSP) - Annex
The Rural Support Plan as required in terms of s2 of the Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Act 2024 outlining the expected use by Scottish Ministers during the plan period of the powers conferred on them by s6 of the Act - support within the four tier framework
Agri-Environment Climate Scheme
Agri-Environment Climate Scheme - RP&S guidance
Description
Funding for land management practices which protect and enhance Scotland’s natural heritage, improve water quality, manage flood risk, preserve historic sites, and mitigate/ adapt to climate change, various options available – see RP&S targeting tool
Purpose
Scottish Government’s Vision for Agriculture sets an ambition to make Scotland a global leader in sustainable and regenerative agriculture. The Agri-Environment Climate Scheme furthers the delivery of this ambition by funding sustainable land management practices. This includes promoting practices that protect and enhance Scotland’s rich natural environment and implementing measures that reduce pollution and mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and securing carbon stores in peatlands and other organic soils
Contribution to Strategic Outcomes
Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
- AECS facilitates the adoption of sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices
- AECS facilitates nature restoration and climate mitigation and adaptation including improving water quality and managing flood risk
Nature Restoration
- AECS facilitates nature restoration and climate mitigation and adaptation including improving water quality and managing flood risk
Method
Application via RP&S
Key dates
Annual, application window February to July, payment window on receipt of an eligible claim (management payments via SAF), contracts can run for up to five years
Eligibility
- You must have a BRN and be registered with RP&S
- You must be a farmer, group of farmers or land manager
- You must be able to demonstrate you have legal right to carry out the projects
- Each option has specific eligibility criteria – see RP&S
- Options are geographically targeted
Requirements
- You must adhere to the conditions for the applicable option(s)
- You must comply with grant conditions including Fair Work First
- You will be subject to inspections
Baseline payment information:
Budget circa £25.6M
No. of recipients 3,417 since the scheme launched in 2015
Monitoring of adherence to grant conditions via RPID inspections, scheme monitoring via SRDP and NatureScot reports
Contact
Email: CAP.SRDP.Policy@gov.scot