DAERA's Forests for our Future programme fails to meet planting targets for Northern Ireland

In March 2020, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) launched the Forests for our Future programme. This initiative set an ambitious target: to plant 18 million trees and create 9,000 hectares of new woodland by 2030. This was in the context of the ongoing nature and climate crises and the important role of woodlands as nature-based solutions.

The programme supports woodland creation by providing grant aid to cover associated costs, with funding available through the Small Woodland Grant Scheme and the Forest Expansion Scheme.

This year marks the halfway point of the 10-year Forests for our Future programme. While woodland planting rates have increased since its launch, progress remains well below the level required to meet the 9,000 hectare target. To date, 2,016 hectares of new woodland have been created through the Small Woodland Grant Scheme and the Forest Expansion Scheme, less than a quarter of the overall goal at the programme’s midpoint. This shortfall highlights the urgent need for DAERA to accelerate delivery if the full ambition of the initiative is to be achieved.

At the halfway point of the programme, delivery of around 4,500 hectares of new woodland would be anticipated, reflecting progress towards the 10-year target of 9,000 hectares. However, current progress falls short by 2,484 hectares. Falling short isn’t just about missing a number, it’s a missed opportunity to:

• Improve lives: trees and woods support environmental health by improving water, soil, and air quality, key to public health and community resilience. A shortfall in woodland creation is a missed opportunity to improve water quality, support agriculture and reduce pollution, with real consequences for people across Northern Ireland.
• Protect nature: ranked 12th worst globally for biodiversity loss, Northern Ireland needs more connected habitats. 2,484 hectares of new woodland could have supported hundreds of species and helped connect fragmented habitats.
• Tackle climate change: Northern Ireland has committed to reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. But the current shortfall means we’re missing vital opportunities each year to capture and store carbon and accelerate progress toward that goal.
• Increase timber production: the UK imports over 80% of the wood products it uses every year. By growing more domestic timber, including fast growing conifers, we will reduce our reliance on imported timber, add economic activity in Northern Ireland and help mitigate against climate change. 

This shortfall highlights the need for urgent and sustained action to realise the full ambition of the initiative.

Since the programme’s launch, the Woodland Trust Northern Ireland has demonstrated its commitment by supporting the creation of 524 hectares of new woodland, accounting for 26% of the total delivered to date under the Forests for our Future programme.

The Woodland Trust Northern Ireland and Confederation of Forest Industries (Confor) are now calling on the DAERA Minister and the Northern Ireland Forest Service to recommit to the Forests for our Future programme by:

• allocating appropriate levels of multi-year funding to support woodland creation
• avoiding delays in the grant process by ensuring timely announcements of application windows and issuing letters of offer ahead of the planting season (November–March)
• strengthening engagement with the sector to improve delivery and collaboration
• nringing forward a new forestry strategy action plan to deliver forestry creation and management commitments to align with nature and climate targets.

John Martin, Director, Woodland Trust Northern Ireland said:

“The Forests for our Future programme is a vital step toward restoring Northern Ireland’s natural environment. At the Woodland Trust Northern Ireland, we have been fully committed to supporting this ambitious initiative as it not only tackles climate change but also reconnects communities with nature. Every tree planted is a legacy of hope, resilience, and renewal for generations to come. Now is the time to reinvigorate our collective commitment to woodland creation and management in Northern Ireland”

James Hamilton Stubber, Chair, Northern Ireland Division of Confor said:

“Confor and its members in Northern Ireland fully support the Future for Our Forests programme and are dismayed by the lack of progress so far. As we struggle with the competing demands emanating from our efforts to meet climate change targets, any new Forestry Strategy has to be integral with an overarching land use policy. The ability of trees and forests to decarbonise our environment has for far too long been greatly underestimated. Forests are vital not only as the lungs for our world but they also provide people with livelihoods as well as supplying valuable products to be used in our economy.”

Notes to Editors

For more details on this release contact Lynsey Nixon in the Woodland Trust press office: 07876035808 or lynseynixon@woodlandtrust.org.uk.

About the Woodland Trust

The Woodland Trust was established in 1972 and is now the UK's largest woodland conservation charity, with more than 500,000 members and supporters. With a vision of a world where woods and trees thrive for people and nature, today the Trust owns and cares for more than 1,000 woodland sites, covering around 33,000 hectares. In Northern Ireland the Woodland Trust cares for over 50 woods. These woods contain a mix of recently planted woodland, mature woodland and ancient woodland.

The Woodland Trust has three key aims:

1. protecting the UK's rare, unique and irreplaceable ancient woodland
2. restoring damaged ancient woodland, nurturing precious pieces of our natural heritage back to life
3. establishing new native trees and woods to create healthy, resilient landscapes for people and wildlife.

Access to all Woodland Trust woods is free so everyone can experience the physical and mental benefits of trees.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheWoodlandTrustNorthernIreland

About Confor

Confor (Confederation of Forest Industries) is a membership organisation that represents sustainable forestry and wood-using businesses throughout the UK. It supports private woodland owners, forestry professionals, and wood processing businesses by advocating for policies that promote sustainable forest management, timber production, and rural economic development.

Website: www.confor.org.uk