Scottish government expands funding to increase tree canopy coverage across the Clyde, Fife, Lothians and Forth.
The Climate Forests initiative is being expanded with £1m extra investment to plant more trees and increase woodlands in parts of the country where some half the population lives.
Founded in 2021, Climate Forests works with local councils, community groups and landowners with the aim of planting 35m trees by 2035 to capture carbon, protect the environment, increase biodiversity, improve access to nature and support local communities to become more climate resilient.
Backed by more than £12m, the project has already planted some 5m trees in this area – but the Clyde, Fife, Lothians and Forth include communities with the fewest trees and greatest climate vulnerability across central Scotland. The new investment will give the project a much-needed boost.
The Climate Forests initiative is a good example of one intervention with multiple positive impacts. It supports Scotland’s biodiversity strategy, environment strategy, forestry strategy, climate change plan and national adaptation plan, as well as the Scottish government’s ‘Just Transition’ programme.
Gillian Marti MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs, says: ‘This latest investment builds on and expands the benefits of Climate Forests to help increase canopy cover in urban and rural areas. We want to create greener, healthier, more resilient places where people can live well and connect with nature – offering spaces for people to rest, exercise, and improve their physical and mental health.
‘Trees and woodlands do so much for us – from absorbing carbon from the atmosphere and providing habitats for wildlife to helping protect communities from flooding and extreme heat. Increasing tree canopy cover across Scotland’s towns, cities and rural communities will deliver all of these benefits for generations to come.
‘This programme will help contribute towards our national woodland creation targets and, indeed, is central to Scotland meeting its climate targets. It is also about fairness and we are targeting investment in the communities with the fewest trees and the greatest vulnerability to a changing climate, because everyone deserves to live in a place that is greener, healthier, and more resilient.’
Douglas Worrall, Director of Forth Climate Forest, adds: ‘The Climate Forests are delighted to receive this Scottish Government funding. As well as creating healthy, liveable communities, both urban and rural, trees are essential in helping to tackle biodiversity loss and climate change.
‘Over the coming year we will use the Scottish government funding to deliver projects across Central Scotland with local people. We will be planting trees in areas where the need is greatest, connecting habitats, and providing multiple benefits for people and wildlife.’
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