Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Fifth Report - Seeing the wood for the trees: the contribution of the forestry and timber sectors to biodiversity and net zero goals
Environmental Audit Committee
HC 637
Published 19 July 2023
Recommendations
16
Acknowledged
Para 71
Commission work to identify woodland creation opportunities on the Government estate
Recommendation
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 Summary
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.
30
Acknowledged
Para 153
Ensure the revised UK Forestry Standard fully supports productive forestry compatible with climate and nature goals.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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 version.
33
Acknowledged
Para 164
Establish a programme for routine woodland monitoring to ensure UKFS adherence beyond establishment.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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.
44
Acknowledged
Para 218
Constrain UK power sector biomass use by sustainable feedstock supply, quantified in Biomass Strategy.
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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.
50
Acknowledged
Para 231
Determine UK capacity for bioenergy feedstock from forest resources, modelling land-use trade-offs
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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
Acknowledged
Collaborate Forestry Commission and Ofgem to develop sustainable bioenergy feedstock regulatory framework
Recommendation
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 …
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Government Response Summary
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 sustainability criteria.
Conclusions (10)
11
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 63
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 Summary
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
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 Summary
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.
21
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 96
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 Summary
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
Acknowledged
Para 140
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 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.
31
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 162
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 Summary
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.
35
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 177
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 Summary
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
Acknowledged
Para 178
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 Summary
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 engineered timber products.
40
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 187
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 Summary
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
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 Summary
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.
49
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 230
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 Summary
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.