Forestry Role Vital In Climate Change
Leading figures from the Scottish forestry industry gathered in Edinburgh today (27 September ) to debate the future prospects for the industry.
The conference, 'A Focus on Forestry and Timber' was organised by the Scottish Estates Business Group (SEBG). The keynote speech was delivered by Scotland's Environment Minister, Michael Russell.
He told the conference: "Climate change is an unprecedented global challenge and forestry has an important role to play.
"Planting more trees, as well as managing those that we already have, is one of many ways the industry can help lock up carbon. Our aspiration is to plant 9,000 hectares of trees each year which will increase forestry's contribution to climate change.
"New woodlands can also play a wider role in the fight against climate change through sustainable flood management, providing habitats for endangered species and maintaining sustainable domestic timber production. To keep the momentum going, we recently announced a further £3 million for a new scheme which will create new woodlands aimed specifically at reducing the impacts of climate change."
David Gwyther, Deputy Chairman of SEBG, which represents progressive rural estates in Scotland, said the forestry industry is now at a crossroads. He said: "The value of woodlands and forests for their biodiversity, their landscape and recreational values, not to mention their value to sporting tourism are grossly ignored and undervalued.
"Estates make a major contribution to our forestry industry and we must seize the opportunities that lie ahead. As well as traditional customers we now operate in a time of rapidly advancing technologies and where forests and timber are increasingly seen as a renewable resource, capable of making a very serious contribution towards the effect of climate change.
"If we are to get the best possible return from our woodlands we need to grow and manage woodlands and trees that will better match the needs and aspirations of all our customers. “
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