Discover how Scotland is leading the way in renewable energy and restoring its natural landscapes — while practising conditionals and environmental vocabulary.
Read the text carefully, then answer the comprehension questions below.
Scotland has set itself some of the most ambitious environmental targets in Europe. The country aims to generate the equivalent of 50% of its total energy consumption from renewable sources by 2030 and has raised its offshore wind target to an extraordinary 40 gigawatts by 2040. To put that in perspective, 40 GW of offshore wind capacity could power tens of millions of homes — far more than Scotland’s population of around five and a half million.
Wind energy is at the heart of Scotland’s green transformation. By 2025, Scotland had over 17 gigawatts of operational renewable capacity, with onshore wind alone accounting for more than 10 GW. In recent years, wind has generated around 78% of all renewable electricity produced in Scotland. The country’s geography — long coastlines, exposed hillsides and strong Atlantic winds — makes it one of the best locations in Europe for wind power. Beyond wind, Scotland also harnesses hydroelectric power, wave energy and solar, though these contribute a much smaller share.
However, Scotland’s environmental ambitions extend far beyond electricity. A growing rewilding movement seeks to restore the natural landscapes that were destroyed over centuries of deforestation, sheep farming and deer-stalking estates. The Scottish Highlands, once covered in ancient Caledonian pine forest, are now largely treeless moorland. Organisations such as the Scottish Rewilding Alliance have proposed that Scotland should become the world’s first “rewilding nation” by restoring 30% of its land and seas over the next decade.
One of the most ambitious projects is Affric Highlands, which aims to restore 200,000 hectares of the Scottish Highlands to a diverse mosaic of native woodland, scrubland and peatland. The project is community-led, meaning local people are involved in planning and decision-making. It hopes to bring back native species such as red squirrels, black grouse and pine martens, while also creating green jobs in rural communities that have suffered from decades of depopulation.
Peatland restoration is another critical piece of the puzzle. Scotland’s peatlands store vast amounts of carbon — when they are damaged or drained, they release greenhouse gases instead of absorbing them. The Scottish Government has invested tens of millions of pounds through its Nature Restoration Fund to repair degraded peatlands, plant native trees and protect endangered habitats. Scientists estimate that healthy peatlands can absorb roughly twice as much carbon dioxide per hectare as a tropical rainforest.
Not everyone supports these changes, however. Some farmers and landowners argue that rewilding threatens their livelihoods and traditional land use. The debate over how to balance environmental protection with economic interests remains one of Scotland’s most contentious political issues. Nevertheless, public support for green policies is strong, and Scotland continues to position itself as a global leader in the fight against climate change.
1 What percentage of total energy consumption does Scotland aim to generate from renewables by 2030?
2 What is Scotland’s offshore wind target for 2040?
3 Why is Scotland particularly suitable for wind energy?
4 What happened to the ancient Caledonian pine forests?
5 How large is the Affric Highlands rewilding project?
6 What happens when damaged peatlands are drained?
7 How do healthy peatlands compare to tropical rainforests in carbon absorption?
8 Why do some farmers oppose rewilding?
Environmental discussions often use conditional sentences to talk about causes, effects and hypothetical situations. Choose the correct form for each gap.
1 If Scotland its 2030 target, it will be one of the greenest nations in Europe.
2 If the ancient forests had not been cut down, the Highlands in native woodland today.
3 If more peatlands are restored, they millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
4 Rural communities would benefit greatly if the government more in green jobs in the Highlands.
5 If farmers earlier, they would not have opposed the rewilding plans so strongly.
6 If wind power continues to grow, Scotland electricity to other parts of Europe.
7 If there no opposition from landowners, rewilding projects could expand much faster.
8 If Scotland had not invested in wind energy twenty years ago, it over 17 GW of renewable capacity today.
Choose the correct environmental term to complete each sentence. All terms appeared in the reading text or are related to the topic.
1 Wind and solar power are examples of energy sources, because they are naturally replenished and will never run out.
2 The process of restoring natural ecosystems by allowing nature to recover and reintroducing native species is known as .
3 Scotland’s peatlands have been by centuries of drainage and farming, which means they now release carbon instead of storing it.
4 Many Highland villages have suffered from , as young people move to cities for better job opportunities.
5 The variety of plant and animal species living in an area is called .
6 A native forest provides an important for animals such as red squirrels, pine martens and black grouse.
7 Burning fossil fuels produces greenhouse gas , which contribute to global warming.
8 A approach to land use means meeting today’s needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.
Imagine you have read the text about Green Scotland on an environmental blog. Write a comment (120–160 words) responding to the article.
In your blog response, discuss one or more of these questions:
• Should countries like Scotland prioritise renewable energy even if it is expensive?
• Is rewilding a good idea, or should traditional farming be protected?
• What could your own country learn from Scotland’s approach?
Try to include:
• At least two conditional sentences (e.g. If Germany invested more in wind energy, it could…)
• At least three vocabulary items from Exercise C (e.g. renewable, biodiversity, sustainable)
“Great article! I think Scotland’s approach is impressive because…”
Review your answers below, then send them to your teacher.
Click the button below to send your answers directly to your teacher.