The Government has launched a new Tree Planting Taskforce, chaired by forestry ministers from each of the four nations, with the aim of overseeing tree-planting efforts across the UK.

The Taskforce’s first mission was to find ways to push forward the UK’s tree planting efforts to help meet net zero targets. These targets and other initiatives towards achieving them are laid out in the Environmental Improvement Plan and are part of the UK’s wider mission to improve the environment through nature restoration and pollution reduction.

The UK is one of the lowest nations for tree coverage across Europe and current rates of growth are not enough. The launch of this new Taskforce recognises the importance of joint efforts across the UK. England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland working together and sharing collective progress will propel woodland growth and protect existing woodlands across the UK.

The social, environmental, and economic benefits that come with forestry are recognised, and with stagnated progress across recent years, there is no better time than now for this Taskforce to be launched.