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Forestry and climate change
13/03/2009
A package of measures to ensure Scotland's national forests make a bigger impact on tackling climate change has been announced.
They include developing joint ventures on renewable energy projects, making the Scotland Rural Development Programme more effective in stimulating woodland creation, urging the Treasury to consider tax incentives and continuing to dispose of surplus land to raise income to establish new woodlands.
After careful consideration, Minister for Environment Roseanna Cunningham has written to the Conveners of the relevant Parliamentary Committees, Maureen Watt MSP and Patrick Harvie MSP, to inform them that the proposal of leasing parts of Scotland's national forests to private companies will not be taken forward.
Instead, Forestry Commission Scotland will now work to develop the other options to raise the money needed for increased tree planting to contribute fully to climate change targets.
Ms Cunningham said:
"Forests and woodlands play an important role in the fight against climate change. By planting more trees we can lock up more carbon and reduce the harmful impact our emissions have on the planet.
"Current planting rates in Scotland are too low and we must dramatically increase them if we are to make a significant contribution towards the Scottish Government's ambitious climate change target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent by 2050 and increase woodland cover in Scotland.
"The recent consultation exercise put forward a number of options for consideration which would help maximise the use of the national forest estate in tackling climate change. We are keen to take some of those forward. I have asked Forestry Commission Scotland to continue developing arrangements for joint venture agreements for renewable energy projects. I have also asked that further work be undertaken to find other ways of raising more money for woodland creation. The consultation responses are very helpful in this process.
"However, a consultation is exactly that: an opportunity to explore ideas and gather in views and opinions. I have taken a good look at the options put forward and all the responses. After giving this serious consideration and in view of the comments we received, I have decided not to take leasing any further.
"On taking this decision, we should be under no illusion that without the leasing option, we now need to consider ways of raising funds in order to plant more trees such as those that I have already mentioned."
Options that were supported by key stakeholders in the consultation and will be explored further by Forestry Commission Scotland include:
Exploring whether the Scotland Rural Development Programme could give more help to stimulate woodland creation, by making farm woodlands more attractive as an option for land managers;
Urging the Treasury to examine how tax incentives can be used to generate more planting; and
Developing the use of well-established arrangements whereby the Commission disposes of surplus land which does not meet Scottish Government objectives. The income generated is used to buy other areas of land to create new woodlands which provides economic, social and environmental benefits. The Commission has already been doing this since 2005.
Environment Minister, Roseanna Cunningham, has written to Maureen Watt MSP, Convener of the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee, and Patrick Harvie MSP, Convener of the Transport Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee, detailing the way forward.
Forestry Commission Scotland published its Climate Change Action Plan on February 2, 2009. The plan focuses on what needs to be done as early actions and to prepare for the future in using forests to tackle climate change.
A strategy for Woodland Creation in Scotland stresses the need for tree planting and examines the benefits and mechanisms of how this could be done.
Forestry Commission Scotland serves as the Scottish Government's forestry directorate and manages the 667,000 hectare national forest estate. Climate change is the biggest threat facing the planet and Scottish forestry is playing its part in helping tackle climate change. With trees naturally locking up carbon, they have a significant role in reducing the affects of climate change. The use of wood as a fuel will also help reduce harmful greenhouse emissions and the Commission is working hard to promote woodfuel developments across the country. Forestry Commission Scotland is continuing to protect, manage and expand Scotland's forests and woodlands in a way which helps in the fight against climate change.