Northern Ireland has unveiled its first dedicated tree planting action plan, setting an ambitious target to increase woodland cover to 12% by 2050. Currently, Northern Ireland has just 8.6% woodland cover, making it one of the least wooded regions in Europe and significantly behind other parts of the UK, such as Scotland (19%), Wales (15%), England (10%), and even the Republic of Ireland (11%).
To achieve this long-term goal, the rate of tree planting will need to more than triple by 2032. The plan, developed by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in collaboration with various stakeholders including the Woodland Trust, forestry companies, eNGOs, the Ulster Farmers' Union, and local councils, outlines 10 strategic actions to be implemented over the next five years. Environment Minister Andrew Muir described the plan as "ambitious" and highlighted the numerous benefits of increased woodland, including carbon storage, nature recovery, improved flood resilience, and enhanced outdoor recreation opportunities.
The immediate objectives under Northern Ireland's first Carbon Budget (2023-2027) include a commitment to plant 2,585 hectares of new woodland. However, an additional 1,205 hectares are required to meet this specific target, with a further 50,000 hectares needed overall to reach the 2050 Climate Change Act target of 12% woodland cover. The 10 strategic actions are further broken down into 31 implementations across four key areas: governance and implementation, communication and knowledge transfer, education and capacity building, and research and evidence.
Industry figures also see significant commercial advantages in the plan. Nigel Manley, Chair of the Confederation of Forest Industries (CONFOR), pointed out that the UK currently imports millions of cubic metres of wood, a demand expected to grow with the need for housing. He emphasised that supporting the action plan could ensure sustainable timber production, create jobs, and attract investment. John Martin, Chief Executive of the Woodland Trust in Northern Ireland, welcomed the plan, stating it would "start to take us in the right direction" and hoped it would improve landowner appetite for tree planting.
The Ulster Farmers' Union, represented by President John McLenaghan, stressed the importance of "farmer choice" being central to the plan. While welcoming measures to simplify access to grants and information, McLenaghan stated that tree planting would not suit every farm and should only be pursued when it makes business sense for individual farmers. He advocated for balanced messaging that accurately portrays both the opportunities and challenges of woodland creation for the agricultural sector.