That the Parliament congratulates the Forth Climate Forest on a successful first year; understands that the initiative combats climate change and biodiversity loss through increasing the amount of urban tree canopy, creating a network of connected woodlands where wildlife can thrive, and planting woodlands that will absorb carbon dioxide; further understands that the programme is hosted by Scotland’s International Environment Centre at the University of Stirling, and is delivered in partnership between the university and Clackmannanshire Council, Falkirk Council, Stirling Council, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, Woodland Trust and Scottish Forestry; considers that the Forth Climate Forest creates opportunities to empower and build capacity within communities, creating resilience by adapting neighbourhoods to the effects of climate change; celebrates that 1,138 hectares of new woodland were created or naturally regenerated across Forth Valley in the initiative’s first year, which, it understands, exceeds the region’s share of the national woodland planting targets, and recognises the potential to replicate the Climate Forest model elsewhere to help Scotland take positive action to mitigate and adapt to climate change, and reverse biodiversity loss.
Supported by:
Stephanie Callaghan, Annabelle Ewing, Emma Harper, Clare Haughey, Bill Kidd, Audrey Nicoll, Alex Rowley, Kevin Stewart, David Torrance, Evelyn Tweed