Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 8
8
Accepted in Part
Paragraph: 51
Require Government to assess tree planting progress and accelerate future policy
Recommendation
We recommend that in its response to this report the Government provide an assessment of the progress of tree planting in (a) England and (b) the UK against the targets set by Ministers; set out its latest and most realistic estimate of the numbers of trees likely to have been planted by March 2025, and indicate whether it plans to adopt policies to accelerate the current rate of planting.
Government Response Summary
The government provided an assessment of England's tree planting progress and future projections but did not provide a specific numerical estimate for planting by March 2025 or detail new policies to accelerate the current rate.
Paragraph Reference:
51
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
Tree planting is a devolved policy area. For England, the 22/23 statistics show an almost 1,000 hectare increase in woodland creation and planting of trees outside of woodlands compared to the previous year, with over 3,600 hectares of tree planting. This represents the highest level of tree planting in England for almost a decade. Funding from the Nature for Climate Fund (NCF) directly resulted in over 2,400 hectares of tree planting. This is over double the amount supported by the NCF in the previous year. This positive trend represents significant progress in achieving our targets and we have a strong pipeline for the coming years. UK and England-level woodland cover will be reported on annually through the Forestry Statistics publications, with progress against the statutory tree canopy and woodland cover target reported at least every five years. Planting projections to 2050 are included in the Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry Green House Gas emissions projections that reflect funded and/or legislated policy. These projections are used in the energy and emissions projections that are published annually by DESNZ. We will continue to work with the Devolved Administrations to deliver this UK-wide step change in tree planting and establishment.