Surge in tree planting in Scotland as SNP challenges UK Government to take more action
84% of the UK's tree planting took place in Scotland last year
The SNP has challenged the UK Government to match its ambition on planting trees.
Figures show the Scottish Government is leading the way in the UK on tree planting - with Scotland planting 22 million trees last year alone and making up nearly 84% of the UK’s mainland tree planting last year.
Over 200,000 hectares have been planted in Scotland since the SNP came to power.
Figures from Forest Research, a leading forestry data organisation, show that between 2007 and 2019, a total of 201,430 hectares of new planting and restocking took place in Scotland.
The SNP has pledged to plant 36 million trees a year by 2030 to tackle the climate emergency.
Scotland planted 22 million trees last year, making up nearly 84% of the UK’s mainland tree planting last year.
Commenting, SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson said:
“Increasing tree planting can play a key role in tackling climate change.
“Trees are the planet’s lungs – and as we enter 2020, we are faced with greatest threat to humanity in climate change.
“The SNP has pledged to plant 36 million trees in Scotland by 2030 and the Scottish Government has set world leading climate change targets in the world but these figures show the good work that has already been done in tackling the climate emergency.
“In 2020, COP26 UN Climate Summit will take place in Glasgow. This is a chance for Scotland to be at the forefront of the global effort to tackle climate change.
“We must use that platform to push our international allies to adopt the same radical approach championed by the SNP in Scotland.”
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