Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) has set 10,000ha of peatland as part of a recovery journey through the rewetting of sites.
It is estimated that, when fully recovered, the 10,000ha will permanently bring about emissions savings of 87,800t C02/year.
This is equivalent to taking about 63,000 new petrol cars in the UK off the road for a year, FLS said.
FLS said this “significant milestone” has been reached through years of dedicated work undertaken by its staff and contractors working on sites across Scotland.
Restoring peatland is an integral part of the Scottish government’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with a target of restoring 250,000ha of degraded peatland by 2030, FLS said.
Peatlands cover around two million hectares, or a quarter of Scotland, and when healthy can help secure carbon stores, the forestry agency said, by changing them from sources of carbon to carbon sinks while also supporting nature and reducing flood and fire risk.
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, Mairi Gougeon, said: “Peatlands are an integral part of Scotland’s cultural and natural heritage, and cover more than 20% of our country.
“When in good condition, they can help us fight climate change, support biodiversity, improve water quality and reduce the severity of flooding and fires.
“I am proud to mark FLS hitting 10,000ha of peatland restoration. Every site we restore adds to the scale of the contribution we make to our environment, to biodiversity, water quality, to our future, and to the people of Scotland.
“Work is continuing to restore and protect the next 10,000ha of this precious natural resource and this will play a key part of Scotland’s response to the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss.”
FLS chief executive, Simon Hodgson, said: “Reaching this milestone is a testament to the dedication of FLS teams and our partners in efforts to transform and restore one of Scotland’s largest degraded ecosystems to create a far healthier landscape.
“One that not only benefits the wider environment, but also the health and wellbeing of people and nature.”
