Commercial forestry ‘shoulders the weight’ of carbon capture
New research commissioned by Scottish Forestry offers evidence that commercial forestry will be the mainstay of climate emergency mitigation in Scotland’s push towards Net Zero.
A recently published report, with work carried out by Forest Research, assesses different options for woodland creation and management from the perspective of carbon sequestration and a reduction in Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
It found that in the short term, fast growing conifers can capture up to eleven times as much carbon as broadleaved woodlands, whilst over an 80 year span conifers can capture three times as much carbon - particularly if wood products are included.
Conifers also score substantially higher on emissions avoided through substituting wood for other materials in product manufacture.
Simon Hodgson, Chief Executive of Forestry and Land Scotland, said;
“The greatest contribution that everyone who works in forestry can make to meeting the twin challenges of the Climate Emergency and the biodiversity crisis, is through a mix of native and coniferous, commercial woodland planted in appropriate locations.
“As part of a mix of woodland types, native woodlands will play a hugely important part in biodiversity recovery.
“However, if we are to succeed in that endeavour, we must also deal with the more immediate problem of emissions reduction and carbon capture – and that is where commercial forestry will shoulder the weight.
“In its early years, a commercial, fast growing woodland can soak up as much as eleven times more carbon emissions than native woodland. This gives the slower growing native woodlands time to establish and develop their complex network of habitats and ecosystems that benefit biodiversity.
“But even over longer periods of time, commercial woodlands still soak up three times as much carbon emissions as native woodlands.
“The continuous nature of the commercial forestry cycle means that at any given time, we are looking after new, established and mature commercial forests that are the mainstay of Scotland’s Climate Emergency mitigation effort.”
FLS is already contributing significantly to Scotland’s response to the global climate emergency, planting 25 million trees each year and harvesting around 3 million tonnes of timber for use across a wide range of industries and sectors.
As well as planting the forests of the future and sustainably managing almost 400,000 hectares of timber-producing conifer and broadleaf forests, FLS’ activity in peatland regeneration and renewable energy generation places it at the forefront of the drive to implement transformational adaptation measures that will be required for the ‘new normal’ of a changed climate.
Examples include implementing natural flood management measures in high-risk water catchments, felling and planting work to stabilise steep slopes above key transport routes, and developing habitats in which species threatened by climate change, can thrive.
Notes to editors
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Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) manages forests and land owned by Scottish Ministers in a way that supports and enables economically sustainable forestry; conserves and enhances the environment; delivers benefits for people and nature; and supports Scottish Ministers in their stewardship of Scotland's national forests and land.
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Media enquiries to Paul Munro, Media Manager, Forestry and Land Scotland Media Office 07785 527590 or paul.munro@forestryandland.gov.scot