211029_PerformanceCttee_Paper 4 Cairngorms Peatland ACTION Programme

This document contains the latest update on the Cairngorms Peatland Action Programme. The Performance Committee is asked to review the delivery update, considering progress, risks (such as weather and contractor capacity), and any strategic impacts on the Cairngorms National Park Authority's (NPA) performance objectives. Peatlands are important for carbon storage, but many are degraded. The Scottish Government has peatland restoration targets and the Peatland Action programme has been in place since 2012. Over 25% of the Cairngorms National Park is peatland habitat but a large amount is degraded. The Peatland Action Project Officers provide project management services and this year, 2021/22, the programme plans to deliver 557 hectares of peatland restoration management. The establishment of the Peatland Programme is in progress, and although the programme is on course to deliver the targeted hectares of peatland restoration management this year, weather and contractor constraints remain a risk.