Campaign reply - Wood Pellets

Thank you for contacting my office. I very much appreciate you getting in touch about the Cut Carbon Not Forest campaign.

 

I am glad that work is already underway to help us achieve net zero by 2050. For example, the Government announced that the UK will lead the world in offshore wind deployment following £160 million additional investment and more ambitious targets. This includes boosting a previous target to deliver up to 30GW of offshore wind to delivering 40GW by 2030. This forms part of the ambitious Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution which lays the blueprint for achieving net zero.

 

I agree with you that our woods and forests are an invaluable national asset and I am proud of the action that has been taken in recent years to preserve and extend British woodland. I am pleased that ministers remain committed to increasing tree planting to 30,000 hectares per year across the UK by 2025.

 

On top of this, I am encouraged that ministers published the England Trees Action Plan which sets the UK on the path to ensure that we have at least 12 per cent woodland cover by the middle of the century, supported by over 80 announcements knitting together to create a comprehensive plan of action. This aims to treble planting rates of trees in England with the support of £500 million from the Nature for Climate Fund.

 

Furthermore, I am pleased that the Government is expanding the Nature for Climate Fund to ensure total spending of more than £750 million by 2024-25 to help meet the commitment to plant at least 7,500 hectares of trees every year in England by 2025 and restore 35,000 hectares of peatland. My ministerial colleagues will make sure that the right trees are planted in the right places, that trees and woodlands are better protected, that more green jobs are created in the forestry sector and that people have greater access to trees and woodlands.

 

I remain committed to ensuring that we build back greener and more resilient as we recover from Covid-19.

 

Once again, thank you for taking the time to write. If you require any further assistance, then please do not hesitate to get in touch.