Tree planting
statistics show the scale of the challenge in meeting the net
zero emissions target Government has committed to, say the Woodland Trust. It
will require a three-fold increase in current woodland creation levels.
Figures however are
up overall across the UK, mainly because of large increases in Scotland, Wales
and Northern Ireland, but figures for England are down. The Woodland Trust was
responsible for planting 50% of the whole broadleaf woodland figure reported
for England.
Provisional figures
released by the Forestry Commission show that although the amount of new
woodland created rose to 13,000 hectares from 9,000 the previous year across
the UK, targets have been missed. In England just 1,420 hectares of woodland
was created against the Government aspirational target of 5,000 per year.
The percentage of
woodland cover in the UK remains at 13% (10% in England, 15% in Wales, 19% in
Scotland and 8% in Northern Ireland).
The
Government has committed to act on the Comittee on Climate Change recommendations
and legislate for net zero emissions by 2050. The CCC report called for an
increase in UK woodland cover to 17% by 2050. This would require a planting
rate of 30,000 hectares a year until 2050.
Woodland Trust
director of conservation and external affairs Abi Bunker said: “The UK needs
renewed ambition when it comes to tree planting and woodland expansion. The
scale of what needs to be achieved to reach net zero targets is obvious; it
will necessitate a three-fold increase on current levels.
“Let’s not shy away
from the truth. It will be a challenge, it will cost money, it will mean tough
choices, but the human race is at a crossroads for our environmental future. To
avoid climate breakdown we have to act, that’s the reality we live in, tough
choices, big challenge, but we can all rise to meet it head on.
“If the framework is
in place, meeting the ambition of 17% tree cover is achievable. We stand ready
to work with Government to develop innovative approaches to delivery as the
launch of the Northern Forest Innovation Fund this week demonstrates. But
it is essential to address the climate and natural environment crises together
– recognising them as being interconnected and not two separate challenges –
this means that native woodland along with other natural habitats will play an
important role for both carbon and biodiversity.”
The Woodland Trust
continues to play its part. In 2018 the Trust planted, gave away or sold
3,254,048 trees, creating some 1,714 hectares of woodland across the UK.
In England the Trust planted over 500 hectares of native woodland, 50% of the
total figure reported. We stand ready to continue and expand our work with
Government, partners, landowners, community groups and schools.
In order to meet the
challenge ahead there is a need to incentivise tree planting with funding
through a new environmental land management scheme. Action is also needed to
tackle continued threats to woodland from infrastructure and growing threats
from pests and diseases, as well as helping people to engage with trees
wherever they live, whatever their background.
Sir William
Worsley’s reappointment as the Government’s Tree Champion is a good sign for
the continued commitment to woodland expansion and the importance it plays. The
Trust echoes Sir William’s call to land owners, farmers and foresters across
the country to take up the mantle of tree planting by accessing the
Government’s grant schemes.
The Trust also
welcomes the £10 million UrbanTree Challenge Fund which was announced last month and will see 130,000
urban trees planted across England’s towns and cities to attempt to increase
trees in our towns and cities. Street trees are known to give many additional
benefits including reducing pollution.
