Debate on woodland creation

Woodland creation, and tree planting more generally, are part of the government’s plans to meet its targets for reducing its greenhouse gas emissions to address climate change, and for reversing biodiversity loss in England.

Under the Environment Act 2021 the government has set a number of statutory environmental targets for England. One is specifically on woodland, requiring an increase in total tree and woodland cover in England to 16.5% by 2050. The government has also set an interim target to increase England’s tree canopy and woodland cover by 0.33% of land area by December 2030 from a 2022 baseline of 14.9%, which is the equivalent to a net increase of 43,000 hectares.

The Environment Act also set biodiversity targets for increasing species abundance by 2030 and 2042. There is also a target to restore or create over 500,000 hectares of a range of wildlife-rich habitat outside protected sites by 2042, compared to 2022 levels.

Under the Climate Change Act 2008, the government has legally committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In 2019, the government committed to reaching ‘net zero’ emissions by 2050. Achieving this target requires actions to reduce emissions and to increase the capture or sequestration of carbon dioxide, for example through afforestation.

This pack includes information on the benefits of tree planting and woodland creation, progress to date, accelerating delivery and stakeholder views, as well as recent parliamentary material, news and useful links.