A Trade Body has Warned that the UK will Fall Short of its Target for Tree Planting

The government has "zero chance" of meeting its tree-planting targets, according to the UK's Forestry Trade Body. The UK government pledged in 2019 to plant 30,000 hectares (115 square miles) by the end of 2024. Approximately 14,000 hectares (54 square miles) were planted during the fiscal year 2021/2022.

The 30,000-hectare target equates to between 90 million and 120 million trees per year, depending on planting density. The Confederation of Forest Industries (Confor), which represents 1,500 UK forestry businesses, said in a statement that the government had "zero chance" of keeping that promise. "This is a total policy failure in both economic and environmental terms," said Confor chief executive Stuart Goodall.

"Report after report has shown that increased tree planting and wood use is vital to meeting the UK's Net zero targets - yet this is not being translated into trees in the ground," he said.

The government's target for tree planting is part of its pledge to achieve "Net zero" emissions by 2050. Trees absorb carbon from the atmosphere, which helps to limit global warming. According to Mr. Goodall, Scotland has planted three-quarters of the UK's new woodland. He called the figures for England, Northern Ireland, and Wales "worrying."