Recommendation 10

The Committee highlights concern from academics that, without careful spatial planning and prioritisation, area-based targets might not always ensure peatland restoration and tree planting occurs in places where they will maximise emissions reductions and deliver co-benefits. The Cabinet Secretary said that having broad, area-based targets and focussing on high-emitting sites were not mutually exclusive concepts and “it is fundamentally about delivering them both”. While the Committee agrees with the Cabinet Secretary’s view, it believes the final CCP should more clearly specify how peatland restoration and tree planting sites will be prioritised, and include any spatial analysis or mapping exercises it has carried out to support targeted actions.