More funds needed for new trees in England, say campaigners

Government failing on pledge to plant 30,000 hectares by 2024, says Friends of the Earth

Tree planting is one of the government's key strategies for fighting the climate crisis, but ministers have got off to a slow start that shows little sign of speeding up, according to the latest figures: just 5.2m will be spent on new trees in England under the countryside stewardship scheme for the current financial year.

That is enough for only 1,260 hectares, according to Friends of the Earth, which is calling for a greater effort on tree-planting to absorb more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.