Scottish Water's net zero programme is progressing
The equivalent of more than 1,000 football pitches of land has been enhanced through Scottish Water's net zero programme, delivering benefits for biodiversity, water quality and climate resilience.
During 2025/26, large-scale peatland restoration and woodland creation projects at key locations such as Loch Katrine and Backwater Reservoir supported nature recovery across 733 hectares while helping protect some of Scotland's most important water sources from the impacts of climate change.
The Backwater project included restoring more than 300 hectares of peatland last year on the hillsides surrounding the reservoir.
Work was carried out in two phases, with a third phase of a further 192 hectares, planned for this year.
Scottish water said that restoring peatland is key to holding water within the land, rather than it running straight off the hills into the reservoir during times of heavy rainfall.
This also helps to reduce the amount of organic matter, such as dissolved carbon, in the water making the treatment process simpler and less energy intensive.
The water authority has also been developing plans for a 600-hectare native woodland creation project in the Glenhead area.
Planting is due to start next year.
Alongside renewable energy projects, this work carried out nationally has helped to avoid 10,000 tonnes of carbon emissions – the equivalent of more than 2,700 return flights between Glasgow and Tokyo.
Scottish Water's latest Net Zero Routemap annual update shows how climate action is becoming embedded across the organisation's operations, infrastructure and land management activities.
From restoring habitats and generating renewable energy to adopting lower-carbon technologies, the programme is helping reduce emissions while delivering lasting benefits for people, places and the environment.
The update highlights continued progress in improving the efficiency of Scottish Water's operations, with around 4.5 GWh of energy savings and 3.88 GWh of renewable electricity generation delivered during the year.
Elise Cartmell, general manager for Net Zero at Scottish Water, said: “Our net zero programme is continuing to deliver benefits across the environment, our operations and the communities we serve.
“From restoring peatlands and expanding native woodland to generating more renewable energy, we're helping tackle climate change while supporting biodiversity, improving water quality and strengthening resilience to the impacts of a changing climate.
“These projects demonstrate that climate action can deliver multiple benefits for Scotland, both now and in the future."
The annual update also reflects the increasing complexity of the journey to net zero. While significant progress continues to be made, future reductions will increasingly depend on tackling emissions that are more difficult to eliminate, including those associated with water and wastewater treatment processes, treatment chemicals and wider supply chain activities.
Ms Cartmell added: “The transition to net zero is about much more than reducing carbon emissions. It's about helping create a more resilient, sustainable and flourishing Scotland.”