The Scottish Government has announced additional cash to help repair and restore the country's peatlands.

An extra £11 million will be available to fund projects aimed at restoring degraded areas following an initial commitment of £3 million earlier this year.

The investment is part of efforts to tackle climate change and meet targets for the country to be carbon neutral by 2045.

Scotland's peat soils cover more than 20% of the country and stores around 1,600 million tonnes of carbon.

Restoration work includes improving wetlands by reducing drainage and slowing water flow on peatlands, as well as covering areas of peat exposed to the elements, helping to lock in carbon and reduce potentially harmful C02 emissions.

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Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: "The impact of peatland degradation on climate change cannot be overstated - particularly in Scotland, where around 25% of the country is covered in peat soil.

"If all of the C02 from that peatland was released then it would be the equivalent of more than 120 years of Scotland's emissions being produced at once.

"Restoring peatland has an important part to play in delivering the Scottish Government's climate change ambitions.

"By doing this we're also providing an important habitat for plants and wildlife, improving water quality, and mitigating flood risk."

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Francesca Osowska, of Scottish Natural Heritage, said: "Peatlands in good health have many benefits for people and nature.

"Nature-based solutions - like the work Peatland Action is undertaking to restore and lock-in Scotland's peatland carbon stores - are integral to solving the climate emergency we are all facing.

"As Scotland aims to move to a low-carbon economy and meet its ambitious climate change agenda, it is important that we continue to build on the excellent work already completed."