The following action and progress relating to land use has occurred within the Perth and Kinross area.

• Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry accounted for a saving of 136.8 ktCO₂ of the total area-wide CO₂ emissions across Perth and Kinross (2019) - shows a small improving trend against the 2005 baseline.
• 36 sites have had feasibility studies undertaken within the Perth & Kinross Council Area for potential restoration with support of the Peatland Action Project (2020-2021 update). Of those 36, 20 site projects have been completed, 2 are in the application process, 6 projects have been deferred, 1 refused, and progress on a further 2 has slipped. The remaining 5 project applications have been withdrawn,
  
• 18.5% (98098.95 Ha) of the total land area in Perth and Kinross is covered by woodland (50% = conifers) (2018)
• 25.1% (24645.39 Ha) of the total land area covered by woodland in Perth and Kinross is of native species (2020)

Perth & Kinross Council commissioned research from the James Hutton Institute in mid-2021 to look at the potential contribution, both positive and negative, of land use activities in our rural area. The most significant areas include grassland management, tree planning and peatland restoration as follows:

• annual emissions from degraded peatland are estimated annually to be 273 kt CO₂e (for context total Domestic emissions are 266 kt CO₂e). It will be extremely challenging to tackle all of these areas, but even just addressing the emissions from land already in designation areas will save 76.5 kt CO₂e/yr.

• the additional sequestration potentially associated with the woodland creation targets in the Forest and Woodland Strategy will lead to an increased sequestration, Therefore, if significant landscape scale changes were to be implemented, this has the potential to be more than 200 kt CO₂e.

Whilst the net impact of our landward sector is improving and currently in net positive (sequestering), we need to accelerate the pace of change to deliver on net zero at the earliest opportunity. Both forestry and peatland rehabilitation have long lead in times before the full scale of sequestration is achieved, so significant action is required in the next five years to realise significant savings by 2045.

It is hard to quantify the potential carbon saving to be gained through creating a network of biodiversity communities or transformation of our greenspaces, but any net impact will be positive. The positive impact on biodiversity in the rural areas and in, and around, our urban areas is significant. Our greenspace are often the critical biodiversity corridors within largely built-up area and are a lifeline for biodiversity. In the landward sector, more sensitive agricultural practices, appropriate tree planting and peatland restoration have the potential to enhance the habitats of numerous protected and endanger species.

Strengthening Planning

During the recent public engagement, feedback from the public was their perception that current policies are not enforced rigorously enough, which leads to tree and biodiversity loss. The Enforcement Charter will be reviewed to ensure appropriate priority is given to cases impacting on climate change and biodiversity. A monitoring exercise will be conducted in late 2022 to assess the effectiveness of planning policies and planning conditions.

Climate change features prominently in the new Draft National Planning Framework is progressing through parliament, which sets the framework for planning policy throughout Scotland and our own Local Development Plan (LDP). The policy framework for new development in the Draft NPF4 also provides a more robust framework to ensure biodiversity is enhanced. The Forest and Woodland Strategy supplementary guidance will also be reviewed to ensure it supports the increased target for the right type of tree planting in the right place. Research will be undertaken into the net impact of development, often referred to as its “carbon footprint” and consideration given to opportunities to work with the development industry to offset any negative impact, preferably on-site but where this is not possible offsite.

Rural Land Use and Carbon Sequestration

Landscape Scale Change: Delivering the potential of our landward area to reduce its impact and sequestrate increasing volumes of carbon will require collaboration between public agencies and land managers. To assist in the understanding of the impact and potential contribution of rural land uses to net zero the Council commissioned a Carbon Sequestration Project with The James Hutton Institute (JHI). The report highlights the significant potential to reduce emissions and sequestrate carbon through land management.

The Council has been collaborating with Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust, NatureScot, the National Parks, Forestry and Land Scotland and various agricultural and land-owning interests to investigate the potential of a partnership project to work with land managers to facilitate the transformational change required. At present, the pilot project concentrates on North Perthshire and will be reporting in 2022. However, the successful delivery will require a Perth and Kinross-wide approach, aimed at assisting land managers access robust advice and maximising access to national funding streams.

Biodiversity

Addressing the dual crises of climate change and biodiversity loss requires a shift in emphasis from protection to enhancement of biodiversity and restoring and improving connections, creating multi-benefit places and spaces to deliver on climate change, biodiversity and health and wellbeing.

Building on the concept behind Scotland’s first Biodiversity Village (St Madoes and Glencarse) and the first biodiversity town (Blairgowrie) there is emerging interest from around 20 towns, villages and neighbourhoods across the Council area to achieve similar status. Through the Tayside Biodiversity Partnership, we will work to support them. We will also support the Perth City Leadership Forum to declare Perth as Scotland’s Biodiversity Capital by taking a coordinated and partnership-based approach to the City. This offers the potential to attract investment by working with national agencies and businesses to create a Council wide network of biodiversity communities.

Greenspace​

The Council’s many greenspaces and other Council controlled land provide a valuable way for us to demonstrate our commitment to lead by example. Transforming parks and greenspaces into multi-functional areas that provide play and recreational opportunities whilst enhancing biodiversity, providing flood attenuation and sequestrating carbon requires a co-ordinated approach and community consultation. To deliver this will require a phased programme (10 years) to address the key greenspaces across the Council area. The key actions will focus on: -

• Management and Maintenance Regimes to be reviewed to give due consideration to biodiversity and carbon sequestration (Schools, Parks, verges, and other land)​
• Review our Equipment and Procurement ensuring the move to low carbon fleet and equipment​
• Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation across Our Estate​
  • Working with our young people​
  • Increased tree planting across our estate (Schools, Parks and other land)​
  • Creating spaces and places which provide multiple benefits​
• Developing and implementing the Good Food Nation/ Food Growing Strategy

A climate emergency has been declared internationally and recognised by both the UK and Scottish Governments. ​The key long-term target is to ensure Perth and Kinross is Net Zero by 2045 at the latest. As many of the measures within this land use sector will take many years to deliver their full benefits, to achieve net zero by 2045 the majority of action required must be underway by 2030.​ The following road map provides an overview of the actions which Perth & Kinross Council will undertake to achieve these targets in relation to land use.

Except for the operation of the planning system and improvements to land under Council control, the majority of the actions relate to land over which the Council has a varying degree of influence. The delivery of the Land Use objectives, therefore, will be largely only successful through effective partnership working. The role of the Council will be as a facilitator or supporter of these projects.

Whilst there are several funding streams available to assist in the transformational change of our land use sector many are subject to a competitive bid process. The key to success will be the ability of the Council and land managers to secure funding. This will require that robust projects are developed with tangible benefit allowing bids it developed and submitted when funding streams become available.

National Action & Local Leadership​

Locally we need to actively engage in consultations as national policy and legislative drivers are in development​. We intend on delivering all consultation via our dedicated Climate Change Consultation Hub.

Engagement, Culture & Inclusion

It has already been highlighted that the majority of the action within the land use sector are outwith the direct control of the Council. A collaborative approach will all players in the land use sector will be essential and this includes involving communities in understanding and participating in the structural change required.

With regard to the transformation of the Councils own greenspaces the importance of working with communities is recognised.

Skills & Capacity​

New maintenance regimes in Council Greenspaces, peatland restoration, woodland planning and revised grassland management will to a greater or lesser extent require training and support for land managers. Collaborative projects sharing resources and expertise will be the best way to ensure the required support is delivered. There are concerns however about the capacity in the system across Scotland both for project development and implementation. This will require close monitoring and working with the educational sector to expand the skill set required.

Data & knowledge​

• Up to date site condition information on protected sites with peatland
• Perth and Kinross Strategic Green Networks including recommendations for enhancements of these networks (new requirement under Open Space Study Draft Regulations)
• Biodiversity – Integrated Habitat Networks and where and how we could protect, improve and enhance (to include both blue and green networks and how they can link with active travel corridors/networks)
• Natural Flood Management Location Opportunities
• Updated Forest and Woodland Strategy taking account of biodiversity and climate crisis
• Landscape Capacity Studies for principle settlements
• Local Heat and Energy Network potential
• Audit of settlements and localities in terms of 20 min neighbourhoods criteria – functions, facilities and what the gaps/deficiencies are

The following Key Performance Indicators have been developed to enable progress and monitor climate action related to Land Use. The KPI framework will be further developed during 2022.

Please see our Take Action and Get Involved pages to help towards tackling climate change.

• Bioregioning Tayside
• Home - Most Sustainable City
• Perthshire Nature Connections Partnership | Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust (pkct.org)
• Natural and Historic Environments
• Tayside Biodiversity Partnership
• NatureScot: Restoring Scotland's Peatlands
• NatureScot: Peatland Action Project
• Peatland restoration fund tackles global climate crisis
• Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey
• Community Land Scotland
• Scottish Land Commission
• Forest and Woodland Strategy
• Scottish Forestry - Climate change
• B-Lines Scotland - Buglife
• Orchard Revival – Scotland's charity for traditional orchards
• Nature Friendly Farming Network - Sustainable Farming
• The SITA Tayside Biodiversity Action Fund