Red Tape Slowing Woodland Creation in Wales

Conservationists have warned that bureaucracy is making it significantly more difficult to create new woodlands in Wales than to remove existing ones, raising concerns about the country’s ability to meet its climate change commitments.

Trees play a vital role in tackling climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide, reducing flood risk, providing shade during extreme heat and supporting wildlife. However, experts say current planting rates remain well below the levels needed to achieve Wales’ long-term environmental goals.

Government statistics show that tree planting is increasing, but campaigners argue that progress is still too slow.

Woodland Trust Calls for Simpler Tree Planting Process

Chris Matts, site manager for south and west Wales at the Woodland Trust, said natural ecosystems are among the most effective tools available for addressing climate change but believes excessive bureaucracy is slowing progress.

“We know that nature-based systems are really some of our most important tools in the box for dealing with climate change,” he said, adding that bureaucracy was a challenge.

“As a land manager it’s far easier for me to cut a woodland down than it is to create one.”

Matts stressed that woodland expansion should complement agriculture rather than compete with it.

“That’s not to say we should just plant trees anywhere and we should forgo all of the other things that we need in our landscape, like farming for example, but these things should work alongside and support those systems,” he said.

During the recent period of extreme temperatures and weather warnings, Matts also highlighted the wider environmental benefits of forests.

He said woodland areas offer “a nice, stable, climatically cool environment”.

Trees Help Protect Communities from Climate Change

Beyond capturing carbon, trees provide numerous environmental benefits that strengthen communities against the impacts of climate change.

Woodlands help slow floodwater, reduce urban temperatures during heatwaves, improve air quality and create valuable habitats for wildlife. The independent Climate Change Committee (CCC) includes increasing woodland cover among its recommendations for reducing greenhouse gas emissions while improving climate resilience across the UK.

The devolved governments use the committee’s advice when setting their own environmental targets.

Volunteers See Local Benefits of Woodland Projects

Local volunteers are already seeing the positive impact of new woodland schemes.

Keith Roberts, who volunteers with the Woodland Trust maintaining a woodland area in Neath, said he feels “a strong sense of ownership” of the site.

“One of the main reasons for planting the trees is part of the local flood defence system, so that’s why we wanted to get involved in making the whole area safer for the Neath residents.”

“The whole point is creating something for future generations,” he said.

Wales Projected to Miss Tree Planting Goals

According to analysis by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), Wales is currently on track to achieve only around 10% of its Carbon Budget 2 tree planting target by 2030.

The organisation also estimates Wales will reach only 27% of the woodland expansion levels recommended by the Climate Change Committee.

In comparison, Scotland is forecast to achieve 74% of its own government target and 98% of CCC recommendations by 2030, while Northern Ireland is expected to reach around 48% of both its government target and CCC advice.

The ECIU warns that delays in planting today could significantly affect future climate targets because newly planted trees require many years before they reach their full carbon-absorbing potential.

Senior analyst Tom Cantillon said:

“Underplanting now will have significant knock-on impacts on the UK’s net zero ambitions – due to the time lag between when a tree is planted, and when it can effectively remove carbon from the atmosphere.”

“It does raise questions for the Welsh government in how that shortfall in tree planting will be made up for in the future, either with more planting or with other actions across the wider economy.”

Farming Policy Changes Added to the Challenge

In 2024, proposals requiring farmers in Wales to dedicate 10% of their land to tree cover in order to qualify for the government’s Sustainable Farming Scheme were withdrawn following widespread protests.

Matts believes this demonstrates the need for a more collaborative approach that supports both farming and woodland creation.

He called for long-term funding opportunities and “a slightly less rigid approach to how we create woodland”.

Forestry Industry Warns Future Generations Will Pay the Price

The Confederation of Forest Industries (Confor), which represents the forestry and wood sector, says current planting levels are putting future generations at risk.

Elaine Heckley, the organisation’s Wales manager, said:

“This is a dismal failure, when all the evidence shows that we need to plant many more trees to create green jobs, build sustainable homes and support our climate change ambitions.”

Welsh Government Says More Trees Are Being Planted

The Welsh Government responded by saying official statistics do not capture every tree planted across Wales because they only include schemes meeting specific reporting criteria.

A spokesperson said:

“Increasing tree cover benefits our environment and the health of people in Wales, and will be felt for generations to come,” adding that it was “committed to increasing tree planting rates”.

“We will be working collaboratively with public sector bodies to better understand the contribution they can make to increasing canopy cover in Wales,” they added.

Supporting UK Woodland Conservation

At Natural World Fund, we recognise that expanding and protecting woodlands is essential for tackling climate change, reducing flood risk and restoring biodiversity. Healthy forests absorb carbon, support thousands of plant and animal species, improve air quality and create greener, more resilient communities. By supporting woodland conservation, habitat restoration and sustainable land management, we can help ensure future generations inherit landscapes that are richer in wildlife and better equipped to cope with a changing climate.

If you care about restoring native wildlife, support the work of Natural World Fund today.