The Scottish government’s climate change advisers have raised “serious concerns” about cuts to tree planting.
It was announced in December that the woodland creation budget was being slashed by 41% from £77.2m to £45.4m.
Ministers have admitted the cut means they will fall well short of next year’s target of 18,000 hectares of new woodland to tackle climate change.
The Scottish government has blamed the decision on cuts to the block grant from Westminster.
The forestry sector said the decision will mean millions of small trees which have been growing in nurseries ready for planting will have to be destroyed.
This is the best summary I could come up with:
Ministers have admitted the cut means they will fall well short of next year’s target of 18,000 hectares of new woodland to tackle climate change.
In response to the letter, CCC chief executive Chris Stark said any delay in tree planting would risk not achieving the reductions in greenhouse gas emissions which are required to meet targets in the 2030s and beyond.
He added that the budget cuts “represent a continued gap in Scotland meeting its tree planting ambition” and that the committee has “serious concerns” about the plans.
He added: “It is vital that in the coming weeks, Scotland’s government listens to the CCC and works with Confor and the Woodland Trust to find a funding solution.”
Opposition parties have condemned the cuts to the woodland creation budget with the Liberal Democrat MSP Willie Rennie submitting a motion urging a rethink.
“I would welcome the committee’s support in seeking further funding from the UK government so that we can all get more trees in the ground and tackle climate change and nature loss.”
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