Return of the Agri-Environmental Climate Scheme
The application window for the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) will reopen on the 23 February 2026 and close on the 20 June 2026.
Launched in 2015, The Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS) is Scotland’s principal environmental scheme. The scheme offers payments to promote the uptake of nature friendly farming practices. So far, a total of £339 million has been allocated to 3,417 businesses through the scheme, supporting a variety of projects aimed at preserving and enhancing our diverse natural environment.
Successful applications run for five years so there is a level of commitment involved, therefore anyone considering applying should carefully consider this alongside management options. The scheme remains competitive, with applications scored on several factors. The scoring criteria can be found on the Rural Payments website. The scoring threshold is established annually for all applications, but only after the submission deadline so applicants and agents do not know in advance exactly how many points will be required for approval. In 2024 and 2023 there was a higher success rate of applications compared with 2022 which was far more competitive. Decisions on the AECS 2025 round have recently been announced (06.02.26) with all successful applicants notified by email. A list of decisions on the applications will be published by application reference on the Rural Payments website.
It is anticipated that the 2026 could well be a highly competitive funding round. No application is a guaranteed success. There are some changes to the management prescriptions and to the scoring for 2026.
Currently the scheme has over 60 management options, with popular options including.
- Stubbles Followed by Green Manure in an Arable Rotation (£498.49/ha/yr plus £278 capital for establishment of green manure)
- Wader Grazed Grassland (£80/ha/yr)
- Grass Strips in Arable Fields (£495.62/ha/yr)
- Wild Bird Seed for Farmland Birds (£322.63/ha/yr)
The financial support that AECS provides enables farmers to manage, restore and create habitats for the benefit of vulnerable species and the wider environment, for example by managing species-rich grasslands, regenerating hedgerows or establishing buffer strips. Now is the time to think whether the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme (AECS), could work for you, as a considerable amount of planning and thought needs to go into an application. For help and guidance with applications please get in touch with your local consultant who can help you.
A well-thought-out scheme can deliver numerous benefits both for the environment and your business e.g. wild bird seed can occupy awkward and unproductive arable field corners and water margins can be fenced off to protect stock health and water quality as well as being a financial boost.
For more information, please refer to the AECS web page on the Rural Payments website.
5 Top Tips
- Use the targeting tool to find out what AECS management options are available on your holding. Remember to do this for ALL your location codes if you have more than one.
- Make sure you read the online guidance.
- For advice and help with applying, speak to your local consultant sooner rather than later.
- For applications that involve a designated site (SSSI, SPA), speak to NatureScot to get their advice and endorsement if needed.
- Double check everything before you submit. There is a helpful list of what is required on the AECS web page on the Rural Payments website.
Remember your commitment, if successful, will not start until January 2027, with the first management payment made in 2028 (claimed on SAF 2027).
David J. Brown, Environmental Consultant, David.Brown@sac.co.uk
Posted by SAC Consulting on 16/02/2026
