Responding to the announcement by the Government to commit to Net Zero emissions by 2050, Woodland Trust Chief Executive Beccy Speight said:
“The Woodland Trust welcomes the adoption by Government of the Committee on Climate Change’s advice to commit to net zero GHG emissions by 2050. This sets us on a challenging but necessarily achievable pathway that will require all sectors of business and society to decarbonise. The expansion of the UK’s tree canopy cover and restoration of its globally significant peatlands are an essential part of the solution.
“There is a unique opportunity to link the response to the climate crisis to the equally vital response to the biodiversity crisis. In creating new, native, broadleaved woodlands and planting more trees into the landscape, existing woodland and other semi-natural habitats can be extended, restored and linked to enable wildlife to respond to climate change over the coming decades.
“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.”
