The UK should double the rate of reforestation to achieve a net zero carbon footprint by 2050, conservationists warn.
The Government's Climate Change Committee estimates that each county in the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) should ensure that 19% of its land is covered by trees and forests over the next 30 years. The UK has one of the lowest levels of tree cover in Europe (13%), while the average in Europe amounts to 37%.
To achieve this goal, an additional 1.5 million hectares of forest will need to be planted throughout the territory. According to Darren Moorcroft, chief executive officer of The Woodland Trust, “the moment of crisis has come and action needs to be taken this year.”
«We plan to increase tree planting rates up to 30,000 hectares per year, across the UK, by 2025 – working closely with devolved authorities, communities and landowners to make this happen,» he added.
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