Recommendations & Conclusions
23 items
11
Conclusion
Fifth Report - Seeing the wood for the …
Acknowledged
Forestry England has planted only 303 hectares against its target of 2,000 hectares of new planting between 2021 and 2026. Despite pursing leasehold partnership arrangements, in recent years Forestry England has planted virtually no new woodlands on leasehold land.
Government response. The government acknowledged the observation, stating Forestry England is confident of meeting its 2,000-hectare target and has planted 189 hectares on leasehold land, with another 267 hectares expected by 2026/27, further extending its partnership offer to purchase freehold land.
15
Conclusion
Fifth Report - Seeing the wood for the …
Acknowledged
Central government is a major landowner. The Greening Government Commitments commit the Government to identify opportunities to contribute to nature recovery on the Government estate. Woodland creation can be a significant contributor to nature recovery. (Paragraph 70) Seeing the wood for the trees: the contribution of the forestry and timber …
Government response. The government acknowledged the conclusion, highlighting its ongoing actions under the England Trees Action Plan to increase timber production and nature recovery on public land, and its current efforts to identify further tree planting opportunities across the government estate.
16
Recommendation
Fifth Report - Seeing the wood for the …
Acknowledged
We recommend that Ministers commission work to identify opportunities for woodland creation on the Government estate, to advance nature recovery further and increase timber production.
Government response. The government acknowledged the recommendation, stating it is currently considering how to better collate data and identify tree planting opportunities across the government estate and is in conversation with departments and No10 regarding the scope of this work.
21
Conclusion
Fifth Report - Seeing the wood for the …
Acknowledged
The reliance on the UK Forestry Standard to ensure the sustainability of planting in areas identified as ‘low risk’ could provide a proportionate risk-mitigation mechanism. For this to operate effectively it is important that Forestry England maintain its monitoring of the compliance of new woodland with the UKFS beyond the …
Government response. The government acknowledges that UKFS compliance checking is currently limited to grant applications and felling license assessments, and states it is considering what additional resources would be needed for greater woodland management oversight beyond the establishment stage.
26
Conclusion
Fifth Report - Seeing the wood for the …
Acknowledged
Delivery of the Government’s net zero and nature recovery targets depends on wide- scale woodland creation. The amount of CO absorbed, the levels of biodiversity 2 supported and other benefits or negative effects of woodland creation are all highly variable, depending on where and how woodland is established, the tree …
Government response. The government agrees that forestry and timber are crucial for Net Zero and biodiversity, outlining its England Trees Action Plan and a statutory target to increase woodland cover to 16.5% by 2050, emphasizing mixed, resilient woodlands for varied environmental, productive, …
30
Recommendation
Fifth Report - Seeing the wood for the …
Acknowledged
We recommend that the project board with oversight of the current quinquennial review of the UK Forestry Standard ensure that the revised Standard not only contributes to beneficial outcomes for biodiversity and carbon storage but also supports productive forestry to the fullest extent compatible with climate and nature goals. This …
Government response. The government acknowledges that the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) is already based on principles supporting productive forestry and biodiversity. The Forestry Commission will work with stakeholders and devolved administrations to ensure clarity and consistency regarding changes to the latest UKFS …
31
Conclusion
Fifth Report - Seeing the wood for the …
Acknowledged
The UK Forestry Standard underpins regulation of the sustainability of the nation’s forests and plays an important role in ensuring that renewed efforts to increase timber supply do not repeat the mistakes of the past. Yet the existence of the standard is not proof that the nation’s forests are being …
Government response. The government acknowledges concerns about monitoring UKFS compliance beyond initial establishment for non-grant aided operations. The Forestry Commission intends to conduct periodic reviews of compliance and is exploring the future use of Earth Observation and remote sensing technology to assist.
33
Recommendation
Fifth Report - Seeing the wood for the …
Acknowledged
Given the importance of the UKFS in ensuring that forests are managed sustainably, we recommend that the Forestry Commission establish a programme for the routine monitoring of woodland to ensure that the standard is being adhered to beyond establishment, adopting new technology to aid this, where feasible to do so.
Government response. The government acknowledges the need for monitoring UKFS compliance beyond initial establishment, particularly for non-grant aided operations. The Forestry Commission intends to conduct periodic reviews of compliance and explore the future use of Earth Observation and remote sensing technology.
35
Conclusion
Fifth Report - Seeing the wood for the …
Acknowledged
We welcome the Government’s aims to increase the uptake of timber in construction. The long-term use of timber in construction offers longer term carbon storage potential than other uses of harvested wood products and therefore has an important role to play in helping the UK to meet its net zero …
Government response. The government acknowledges the environmental benefits of using responsibly sourced timber in construction, affirming its commitment through various strategies to increase timber use for carbon storage.
36
Conclusion
Fifth Report - Seeing the wood for the …
Acknowledged
It is important that domestically-grown timber resulting from the current drive to plant is available for use in construction as far as possible. While there is scope to use UK-grown timber for a wide variety of non-structural purposes, engineered solutions and potentially changes in construction practices are required to allow …
Government response. The government acknowledges the importance of domestically grown timber for construction and describes ongoing efforts through the Timber in Construction Roadmap to address barriers and increase demand for English wood. They highlight current projects and a knowledge library supporting innovative …
40
Conclusion
Fifth Report - Seeing the wood for the …
Acknowledged
Growing the market for hardwood in composite products—as an alternative to use for firewood—could utilise broadleaf resources in the UK, with the added benefit of incentivising more broadleaf woodlands to be brought into management. However, growing quality hardwoods remains difficult due to disease and pests, and undermanagement.
Government response. The government agrees with the committee that there is an opportunity to increase domestic hardwood use and is considering its potential as part of the Timber in Construction Roadmap, mentioning existing funds and future work with industry.
42
Conclusion
Fifth Report - Seeing the wood for the …
Acknowledged
While imported woody biomass continues to be a major bioenergy feedstock, it is important that biomass used in UK power generation, whether from the UK or overseas, is genuinely sustainably sourced in a way which minimises the impact on forest biodiversity and carbon stocks. The CCC has continually stressed that …
Government response. The government acknowledges the importance of sustainable biomass by stating the Biomass Strategy, published on August 10th, includes actions to strengthen sustainability criteria and commits to a consultation on these in 2024.
44
Recommendation
Fifth Report - Seeing the wood for the …
Acknowledged
The amount of biomass used by the UK power sector should be constrained by the supply of low-carbon sustainable feedstocks, factoring in potential domestic supply and rising trends of bioenergy use globally. The Biomass Strategy should set out and quantify the potential of different biomass sources to deliver energy and …
Government response. The government states the Biomass Strategy acknowledges biomass as a limited resource and presents an assessment of its potential, while noting the complexity and uncertainty in predicting future sustainable supply and prioritising uses for negative emissions.
49
Conclusion
Fifth Report - Seeing the wood for the …
Acknowledged
Short-rotation forestry and short-rotation coppice crops are currently little used, but demand for them is likely to increase. If they are considered to be significant and necessary bioenergy feedstock sources, their planting must be scaled up sustainably, in line with best forestry practices and limited to an appropriate area of …
Government response. The government agrees that any upscaling of short-rotation forestry and coppice must be sustainable and not reduce food production, stating they will explore these issues with industry and that the Land Use Framework will provide further detail.
50
Recommendation
Fifth Report - Seeing the wood for the …
Acknowledged
In the forthcoming Biomass Strategy and Land Use Strategy the Government must determine the capacity of the UK to supply bioenergy feedstock from its forest resources—including forest residues, short rotation forestry and coppicing—analysing the risks of drawing upon these resources and modelling land-use trade-offs, particularly in relation to security of …
Government response. The government agrees with the need for sustainable upscaling and states an updated assessment of potential future biomass availability was published. They commit to exploring these issues in depth and further detail will be provided in the Land Use Framework.
51
Recommendation
Fifth Report - Seeing the wood for the …
Acknowledged
We recommend that the Forestry Commission, as the Government’s experts on forestry, work with Ofgem to share best forestry practice. The objective of this collaboration ought to be to ensure that, should demand for domestic wood biomass in energy markets increase, the regulatory framework for bioenergy feedstocks derived from forestry …
Government response. The government clarifies that DESNZ is responsible for the regulatory framework, while Ofgem's role is administrative. They acknowledge the importance of collaboration and state DESNZ has already developed actions with the Forestry Commission for a consultation in 2024 to strengthen …
4
Conclusion
Fourth Report - The UK's contribution t…
Acknowledged
Understanding which forest risk commodities are contributing to deforestation, and on what scale, is essential for the UK and other nations to introduce effective legislation and policies. Monitoring and transparent data reporting are therefore crucial, including on how consumption contributes to deforestation. These are very complex undertakings, requiring global cooperation …
Government response. The government agrees with the importance of monitoring and transparent data reporting and states that scoping work is underway to assess the feasibility of incorporating metals and minerals into the Global Environmental Impacts of Consumption indicator framework.
13
Recommendation
Fourth Report - The UK's contribution t…
Acknowledged
We recommend that the GBS require all acquired forest-risk commodities (in addition to palm oil, timber and paper) to be certified as sustainably produced. (Paragraph 41) The UK’s proposed due diligence system under the Environment Act 2021
Government response. The government will focus statutory reviews on scheme effectiveness and is exploring how to address the role of indigenous peoples in forest preservation within the independent evaluation of the scheme.
15
Recommendation
Fourth Report - The UK's contribution t…
Acknowledged
We recommend that the Government bring forward proposals to amend the UK Timber Regulations so as not only to prevent illegally harvested timber being placed on UK markets but also to require all imported timber to be sustainably harvested. (Paragraph 52) 48 The UK’s contribution to tackling global deforestation
Government response. The government encourages businesses to use the TNFD’s risk management disclosure recommendations and will consider how best to incorporate the TNFD into UK policy and regulatory architecture.
25
Conclusion
Fourth Report - The UK's contribution t…
Acknowledged
Schedule 17 requires the Secretary of State to evaluate the effectiveness of the due diligence system in the third year following its full entry into force. The Act requires an evaluation of the impact of the regime on deforestation activity, but does not explicitly require an evaluation of the impact …
Government response. The government acknowledges the crucial role of indigenous peoples and is exploring how the impact of the due diligence system on their human rights could be addressed within the independent evaluation of Schedule 17, while noting statutory reviews will focus …
30
Recommendation
Fourth Report - The UK's contribution t…
Acknowledged
In order to support target 15 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, we recommend that the Government bring forward proposals to legislate for mandatory 50 The UK’s contribution to tackling global deforestation disclosure of nature-related impacts by businesses, including the financial sector, on the basis of the November 2023 recommendations …
Government response. The government encourages businesses to use TNFD recommendations and will consider how best to incorporate them into UK policy and regulatory architecture, ensuring they are appropriate and beneficial for the UK context.
38
Conclusion
Fourth Report - The UK's contribution t…
Acknowledged
We welcome the Government’s commitment to a programme to continue the work of the of the Forest Governance, Markets and Climate Programme, and the potential extension of its scope to include mining commodities.
Government response. The FCDO is currently developing the business case for a follow-on 10-year forest governance markets and climate programme, which will have a broader remit to include illegal deforestation beyond timber.
47
Recommendation
Fourth Report - The UK's contribution t…
Acknowledged
If the UK Government is to persuade other major consumers to act on their deforestation footprint, it is important that the UK leads by example. We recommend that Ministers use the opportunity of bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations to encourage consistently high environmental and social standards, so as to accelerate …
Government response. The government acknowledges the importance of working with partners through trade negotiations to uphold high environmental standards and address deforestation, outlining existing efforts and ambitions in this area without committing to new specific actions.