Commenting on the government’s announcement of £3.9 million to
drive innovative tree planting, Tom Fyans, campaigns and policy
director at CPRE, the countryside charity, said:
‘We have seen a number of high-profile climate
announcements recently with very little said on nature and the
role of the countryside. Nature-based solutions have huge
untapped potential to tackle the climate emergency and restore
our environment. We know the more trees we have to fight runaway
climate change the better so further investment is welcome news
although £3.9 will only have a limited impact.
‘What’s more, our humble hedgerows, which like trees have
huge potential to soak up carbon emissions, have largely been
forgotten. They are also great for wildlife, including hedgehogs,
birds and insects, and are an icon of the English countryside.
Hedgerows should become icons of climate action.
‘That’s why it is crucial the government goes further and
delivers a far-reaching national tree strategy that champions the
role of hedgerows and matches its tree planting ambitions with
hedgerow planting. The time for action has come. The government
has a golden opportunity to invest in regenerating hedgerows,
which must include a 40% increase in their cover by 2050 as
recommended by the Committee on Climate Change. This can be
delivered alongside other natural solutions, to help prevent
runaway climate change and benefit people and wildlife.’
