Latest Public Sector News

04.11.19

£50m Woodland Carbon Guarantee scheme to encourage tree planting

The government have today announced plans to launch a £50 million scheme to help the fight against climate change by boosting tree-planting rates.

The new Woodland Carbon Guarantee will inspire farmers and landowners to plant more trees and create new woodland in return for payments as those trees grow.

This fresh initiative gives land managers in England the long-term financial income they need to invest in carbon sequestration, the process by which trees lock up and store carbon from the atmosphere.

Successful candidates will be offered the option to sell Woodland Carbon Units to the government over 35 years at a guaranteed price set by auction, providing new income for land managers who help businesses compensate for their carbon emissions.

Trees are a vital natural asset and, as a natural carbon sink, are a vital part of the fight against climate change. Woodlands and forests will play an important role in the UK’s efforts to hit net zero carbon emissions by 2050, which is why the government is committed to planting 11 million trees by 2022. Funding for this scheme was announced by HM Treasury in the 2018 Autumn Budget.

Forestry and Climate Adaption Minister Zac Goldsmith said: “Woodland creation is an excellent way to help combat the effects of climate change.

“By supporting farmers and land managers who decide to invest in tree-planting, we are making sure we tackle climate change through nature-based solutions and – as part of our 25 Year Environment Plan help leave the environment in a better state than we found it.

“The Woodland Carbon Guarantee means that now more than ever there is no reason to delay planting trees.”

 

Comments

There are no comments. Why not be the first?

Add your comment

public sector executive tv

more videos >

last word

Prevention: Investing for the future

Prevention: Investing for the future

Rob Whiteman, CEO at the Chartered Institute of Public Finance (CIPFA), discusses the benefits of long-term preventative investment. Rising demand, reducing resource – this has been the r more > more last word articles >

public sector focus

View all News

comment

Peter Kyle MP: It’s time to say thank you this Public Service Day

21/06/2019Peter Kyle MP: It’s time to say thank you this Public Service Day

Taking time to say thank you is one of the hidden pillars of a society. Bei... more >
How community-led initiatives can help save the housing shortage

19/06/2019How community-led initiatives can help save the housing shortage

Tom Chance, director at the National Community Land Trust Network, argues t... more >

interviews

Artificial intelligence: the devil is in the data

17/12/2018Artificial intelligence: the devil is in the data

It’s no secret that the public sector and its service providers need ... more >