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UK needs more forests to help offset carbon
27/01/2010
The role of forests in the sequestration of carbon emitted into the atmosphere is well known now, but the UK has a long way to go to compete with much of Europe in this area.
Britain is among the least forested countries in Europe. Only 12 per cent of its land is forested, which compares poorly to France (28 per cent), Germany (32 per cent), Italy (34 per cent), Spain (36 per cent), Sweden (67 per cent) and Finland (74 per cent).
In a move to try to increase the amount of forest in the UK, the Forestry Commission has proposed the planting of a million hectares of woodland, reducing carbon emissions by 15 per cent by 2050.
As governments look into the best way to cut their carbon emissions, planting forests does seem like one of the cheapest ways of achieving this. It also provides much-needed green spaces for people to enjoy and can provide wood fuel and valuable timber for the construction industry and for export, if operated sustainably.
However, as the UK’s forests mature, the trees’ sequestration capacity is reduced, making the need for new young forests even more necessary for the UK's carbon offsetting performance.
Britain is among the least forested countries in Europe. Only 12 per cent of its land is forested, which compares poorly to France (28 per cent), Germany (32 per cent), Italy (34 per cent), Spain (36 per cent), Sweden (67 per cent) and Finland (74 per cent).
In a move to try to increase the amount of forest in the UK, the Forestry Commission has proposed the planting of a million hectares of woodland, reducing carbon emissions by 15 per cent by 2050.
As governments look into the best way to cut their carbon emissions, planting forests does seem like one of the cheapest ways of achieving this. It also provides much-needed green spaces for people to enjoy and can provide wood fuel and valuable timber for the construction industry and for export, if operated sustainably.
However, as the UK’s forests mature, the trees’ sequestration capacity is reduced, making the need for new young forests even more necessary for the UK's carbon offsetting performance.
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