Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 26
26
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 140
Woodland creation benefits for net zero and nature recovery vary significantly by context.
Conclusion
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 species present, site conditions and management.
Government Response Summary
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, and amenity purposes.
Paragraph Reference:
140
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The Government agrees that the forestry and timber sectors will be crucial nature-based solutions as we work towards Net Zero and reverse the decline in biodiversity. The Government’s England Trees Action Plan (ETAP) sets out our vision for a thriving forest economy which contributes to the local economy of rural communities whilst also meeting our national objectives on climate and nature. We have legislated for a statutory tree and woodland target to increase tree canopy and woodland cover of England to at least 16.5% by 2050, equating to 250,000 hectares of trees. The Government acknowledges the Committee’s call to plant more conifer and we recognise that some stakeholders are calling for the same. Our new statutory woodland cover target will stimulate increased tree planting of both hard and softwoods and we are improving regulatory processes to make tree planting easier while retaining strong environmental and biosecurity safeguards. Commercial conifer planting is an important part of our overall planting, and we need all types of planting to meet our woodland cover target. We want to encourage mixed woodlands that serve a variety of environmental, productive and amenity purposes. We are making sure our trees are resilient to climate change through the Seed Sourcing Grant and Tree Production Innovation Fund and actions under the Tree Health Resilience Strategy.