Forests are essential in mitigating climate change by acting as carbon sinks, supporting biodiversity, and regulating local climates. In the United Kingdom, forests significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote biodiversity, and improve air and water quality. This Report explores forest coverage in the UK, the composition of trees and their carbon sequestration potential, the impact of deforestation and wildfires, and the role of public policy in protecting and expanding forest areas.
As of 2020, the United Kingdom had approximately 3.2 million hectares of forest, which accounts for around 13.2% of the total land area (Forestry Commission, 2020). This is relatively low compared to the European average of 38%, highlighting the UK’s need for continued forest expansion. Most of the forest cover is located in Scotland, which hosts about 45% of the UK’s total forest area, followed by England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
UK forests are a mix of broadleaf and coniferous species. The most common tree species in the UK’s forests include oak, beech, Scots pine, birch, and spruce (Woodland Trust, 2022). Broadleaf species, such as oak and beech, dominate the forests of England, while coniferous species, such as Scots pine, are more prevalent in Scotland.
The UK’s forests are estimated to sequester around 21 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent annually, contributing significantly to the country’s efforts to offset emissions (Forestry Commission, 2021). This carbon sequestration potential is significant as the UK works toward its net-zero emissions target by 2050. The ability of these forests to capture carbon depends on factors such as forest density, age, and species composition, with mature forests generally sequestering more carbon.
While the UK has not experienced the same levels of deforestation as some other countries, it faces challenges from logging, agriculture, and urban development. Over the past decade, forest loss due to development and logging activities is estimated to be relatively low, with around 50,000 hectares of forest lost (Global Forest Watch, 2022). The UK government has implemented regulations to promote sustainable forest management, but pressures from urban expansion and agriculture persist, especially in England, where population density is highest.
Wildfires have become an increasing threat to the UK’s forests, exacerbated by climate change. In the last 10 years, wildfires have destroyed around 40,000 hectares of forest in the UK, with the most severe fires occurring in regions like Scotland and northern England (DEFRA, 2021). Rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and land management practices have contributed to wildfires’ growing frequency and intensity, threatening biodiversity and carbon sequestration capacity.
The UK’s forests play a vital role in its climate change mitigation strategy, as outlined in its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. The UK government’s NDC includes commitments to restore and expand forests to increase carbon sequestration as part of its goal to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 (UK Government, 2020). The government has set targets to plant 30,000 hectares of new woodland annually across the UK by 2025 to sequester more carbon and support biodiversity.
Additionally, the NDC emphasizes sustainable forest management, including adherence to the UK Forestry Standard, which outlines best practices for environmental sustainability in forest operations. However, achieving these goals requires addressing the underlying causes of deforestation and enhancing reforestation efforts in urban and rural areas.
UK public policy plays a critical role in protecting, expanding, and, in some cases, indirectly threatening forest coverage. On the positive side, the Environment Act 2021 and the England Tree Strategy have set ambitious targets for tree planting, reforestation, and sustainable forest management. These policies are designed to increase forest cover while ensuring that forests are managed sustainably to meet environmental and economic objectives.
The government also provides financial incentives for landowners to plant and maintain trees through programs like the Woodland Creation Grant and the Woodland Carbon Fund. These initiatives aim to promote afforestation on private land, particularly in regions like Scotland, with significant potential for expanding forest cover (Forestry Commission, 2022).
However, there are challenges related to urban expansion and infrastructure development, which can lead to forest degradation. For instance, expanding road networks and housing developments in certain regions has raised concerns about deforestation. While public policies are generally focused on conservation and expansion, more robust enforcement and monitoring are needed to ensure that development activities do not undermine reforestation efforts.
Conclusion
Forests are a crucial component of the UK’s strategy to mitigate climate change, providing both carbon sequestration and environmental benefits. While the UK has made significant strides in protecting and expanding its forests through policy initiatives, challenges such as wildfires, development pressures, and the need for more robust reforestation efforts persist. Public policy will continue to play a pivotal role in ensuring that the UK’s forests can effectively contribute to the country’s climate goals, and the ongoing focus on sustainable management and forest expansion is critical to achieving long-term success.
This Post was submitted by Climate Scorecard UK Country Manager Cesar A. A. Da Silva
Contact: OrganisationalGovernance@environment-agency.gov.uk
Dear Dr Duffy
Climate Scorecard is an NGO dedicated to identifying and advocating for actions that can lower emissions in leading greenhouse gas-emitting countries ( www.climatescorecard.org ). We are pleased to share our attached Post 80 UK Country Report on Forests and the following 3 policy suggestions that could strengthen the ability of UK forests to reduce emissions, and we look forward to your response.
- Expand Reforestation and Afforestation Programs
-Policy Suggestion: The government could intensify reforestation (replanting trees in deforested areas) and afforestation (planting trees in areas not previously forested) initiatives, with a focus on native and biodiverse species. This could be achieved by setting new, ambitious tree-planting targets and providing financial incentives for landowners, farmers, and businesses to convert unused land into forest areas.
– Impact: Expanding forest cover can enhance carbon sequestration capacity, improve biodiversity, and contribute to long-term carbon storage.
- Strengthen Forest Conservation and Management Practices
– Policy Suggestion: Implement policies to enhance the protection of existing forests, especially mature forests that store significant amounts of carbon. This can include stricter deforestation regulations, increased forest conservation funding, and the promotion of sustainable forest management practices.
– Impact: Protecting existing forests prevents further carbon emissions from deforestation and degradation, while sustainable management ensures the forest ecosystem remains healthy and productive for long-term carbon absorption.
- Promote Agroforestry and Urban Greening Initiatives
– Policy Suggestion: Encourage the integration of agroforestry (planting trees on farmland) and urban greening (increasing tree cover in cities) through policy frameworks, funding, and incentives. Support farmers in adopting agroforestry practices and create urban tree-planting programs to increase green spaces.
– Impact: Agroforestry enhances carbon sequestration on agricultural lands, while urban forests not only absorb CO₂ but also improve air quality, reduce heat islands, and provide social and ecological benefits to urban populations.
These policies would strengthen the role of UK forests in climate change mitigation while offering additional environmental and social benefits. We look forward to hearing back from you regarding your response to these suggestions.
Sincerely
Cesar A.A. Da Silva
Learn More References
- DEFRA. (2021). Wildfire and Forest Fire Impact Report. UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.
- Forestry Commission. (2020). Forestry Statistics 2020. Forestry Commission UK.
- Forestry Commission. (2021). Carbon Sequestration by UK Forests. Forestry Commission UK.
- Global Forest Watch. (2022). Forest Monitoring Data for the United Kingdom. Global Forest Watch.
- UK Government. (2020). Nationally Determined Contribution: UK 2050 Net-Zero Target. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
- Woodland Trust. (2022). Tree Species in the UK. Woodland Trust.