Commenting on the Nature and Tree Action Plans announced by the
Environment Secretary today, Crispin Truman, chief executive of
CPRE, the countryside charity, said:
‘The countryside’s toolbox of hedgerows, peatlands, woodlands and
other habitats are crucial allies in soaking in carbon emissions
to tackle the climate emergency. It’s absolutely right that the
environment secretary has staked out the government’s intention
on trees and raised the profile of peatlands. Hedgerows also have
a vital role to play and we’d like to see the Government going
further to include them in their target.
‘Healthy wet peatlands – which have come to be known as the UK’s
own threatened and degraded rainforests - have locked up billions
of tonnes of carbon for thousands of years and the England Peat
Action Plan recognises their value. It is hugely welcome to see
the proposed ban on peat-based composts and an ultimate phase-out
of burning being considered. While plans to restore upland and
rewet lowland peatlands sound promising, we need to see them
fleshed out in binding targets, with the funding to match the
scale of the challenge we face on peatlands.
‘Today is a big day for nature and the role of the countryside in
tackling climate change, but hedgerows seem to have been left
out. They should be right up there, alongside trees, as nature
and climate heroes. That’s why we’re calling on the government to
stop beating around the bush and increase hedgerow cover by at
least 40 per cent by 2050.’
