Member News
18th May 2010The Woodland Trust writes for ePolitix.com, urging the coalition government to adopt the target of doubling native woodland cover.
At the general election the Woodland Trust called on all political parties to adopt a target of doubling native woodland cover in the UK over the next 50 years. Both the Conservative and Liberal Democrat manifestos contained commitments to increase woodland and tree cover, and we hope that these aims are implemented by the coalition government.
Creating new native woods and planting trees is not a luxury but essential as a means of tackling challenges such as climate-change mitigation and adaptation, flooding, wildlife loss, improving public health – both physical and mental – and shaping places where people want to live, work and spend their leisure time. They also offer genuine value for money at a time of enormous pressure on the public finances. The environment is not a luxury either, because it is in troubled economic times that our natural landscapes and quality of life assume an even greater importance in shaping our sense of wellbeing.
Sadly, however, the UK is one of the least wooded countries in Europe, and levels of woodland creation with broadleaf trees have halved in the last six years. Going forward the Trust believes that the coalition government should bring together the public, private and voluntary sectors in order to deliver new native woodland creation. In practice, this can be achieved through the following actions:
-Encourage private landowners to plant trees. This should include a stronger emphasis on woodland creation in the existing grants scheme, enabling the creation of tradeable carbon permits from domestic forestry, and re-evaluating the role of the tax system.
-Use the planning system, and mechanisms such as conservation banking, to enable the creation of new native woods within walking distance of residential areas.
-Scope opportunities to plant trees in existing publicly owned spaces such as parks, schools, and other public sector land.
-Enable every child to plant trees and engage with the natural world as part of their formal education to develop rounded citizens equipped for 21st century challenges.
Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd
Have your say...
Please enter your comments below.