Local MP Maria Miller joined Woodland Trust at the launch of ‘Emergency Tree Plan’,– the first of its kind, setting out how the UK can rapidly increase tree cover to help reach net zero carbon emissions and tackle the declines in wildlife.
To increase tree cover the UK needs to pursue a mix of approaches, at a variety of scales appropriate to the landscape. These must include expanding native woodland, sustainable commercial plantations, agroforestry, urban trees, hedges and individual countryside trees.
The Conservative Party's election manifesto committed the Government to reach "an additional 75,000 acres of trees a year" by the end of the next Parliament.
Maria said; “Trees are part of the solution to so many problems: climate change, flooding and well-being to name but three. I welcome Woodland’s Trust campaign to support Local Authorities on developing an Emergency Tree Plan to ensure that any new proposed development includes a tree canopy cover in their plans.
Trees are so much part of our local environment in North Hampshire. We need to ensure they are part of the new communities we build too. “
To read the Emergency Tree Plan for the UK visit https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/publications/2020/01/emergency-tree-plan/