Scotland's Targets
Scotland has set an ambitious target to become net-zero by 2045, which means both reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and offsetting any remaining emissions through measures such as carbon capture and sequestration. As an example, the Scottish Government has an annual woodland creation target of 15,000 hectares per year, increasing to 18,000 hectares in 2024. In a similar vein, targets are in place to restore 250,000 hectares of degraded peatland by 2030.
18k
hectare woodland planting target per year
4 mil.
hectares in rough /common grazing & grass
Land Use Opportunities
Afforestation, or the planting of new forests, can help to sequester carbon from the atmosphere, support biodiversity, and build sustainable rural communities. However, it’s important to strike a balance between afforestation and agricultural land use to ensure we have enough land for food production as well as for carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation.
Scotland’s agriculture is limited by its geography and it’s soil, so it is critical prime agricultural land is maintained. On the flip side, over 5 million hectares are in ‘Less-Favoured Areas’, where land is often hilly, mountainous or has poor soils. A simple overview map of Scotland’s agriculture can be seen in the image below.
Identifying areas that are most suitable for afforestation, such as land that is currently underutilised or degraded, can help to avoid competition with agricultural land use. Opportunities come in all shapes and sizes, from vacant and derelict land within urban areas to non prime agricultural land and the 4 million hectares in rough/common grazing and grass. The latter in particular provides a significant opportunity to make change at scale. It is estimated that approximately 10% of this land use would need to be converted to woodland to reach the 2045 woodland planting goal.
This might appear a significant shift at first glance, but with further opportunities to allow for greater natural regeneration, planting in some Class 6.3 areas and as as technology continues to assist farmers produce greater yields, the target is a real, tangible option.
It is important to note that there are also large areas of land that are not suitable for tree planting such as peatland or priority habitats supporting key species, or prime agricultural land that is crucial for food production, so careful analysis and research is required to find a suitable site.
Land managers can apply for grants through the Forestry Grant Scheme in Scotland and can also sell carbon credits through the Woodland Carbon Code (WCC) to help finance woodland creation projects. Find out more below on how Rethink Carbon can help you understand your options.
Agroforestry
Another approach to balancing agricultural land use with afforestation is agroforestry, which involves the integration of trees into agricultural landscapes. Agroforestry systems can provide multiple benefits, including improved soil health, increased biodiversity, and carbon sequestration, while still allowing for food production. For example, trees can provide shelter for livestock, reduce soil erosion, and provide a habitat for beneficial insects, all of which can help to improve agricultural yields.
It’s also important to ensure that land-use decisions are informed by local knowledge and stakeholder engagement, including farmers, landowners, and communities. This can help to ensure that land use is managed in a way that is sustainable, equitable, and socially acceptable.
Summary
By finding a balance between agricultural land use and afforestation, Scotland can continue to support both food production and carbon sequestration, while building sustainable rural communities and protecting its natural resources for future generations.
Find Opportunities with Rethink Carbon
If knowing where to start with a woodland creation project appears daunting, you have come to the right place.
The Rethink Carbon automated platform runs a site analysis to provide you with key information such as land capability for agriculture/forestry, soil, habitats, designations, suitable tree species and more.
By integrating the Woodland Carbon Code, anyone can identify the carbon and financial impact a woodland creation project can deliver, in just a few clicks.
