5. To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to a recent report suggesting that current forestry grant funding rules are supporting projects that are harmful to peatlands, and which, as a result, generate more CO₂ than they sequester. (S6F-02067)

We do not agree that our woodland creation is harmful for peatlands. No Government is doing more in these islands to ensure that woodlands and forestry help to tackle climate change.

Scotland’s forests remove more than 7 million tonnes of CO₂ a year from the atmosphere—about 14 per cent of all Scotland’s gross emissions. All grant-funded planting must comply with the United Kingdom forestry standard to maximise CO₂ removals and minimise emissions.

Planting on deep peat is, of course, banned. Guidance on ground preparation was strengthened in 2021, and we will continue to use the best available science and evidence to protect our environment, sequester carbon and get Scotland to net zero.

Even the Government’s own scientists, including those in Forest Research, are suggesting that even 10cm of deep peat might be worth protecting, and certainly that 30cm of deep peat should be protected.

The report highlights that trees have been planted using the wrong techniques, which dries up peatlands and sends organic matter down our rivers, which acidifies them, thereby killing salmon, and causes more flooding. To keep carbon in the ground, the report says that we need to keep peatlands wet. Will the First Minister tighten up the regulations for forestry and peatlands and ensure that the right trees are planted in the right place at the right time?

The First Minister:

I make the point again to Brian Whittle that we have a very ambitious peatland restoration programme. The new policy prospectus that I announced just a couple of weeks ago promises to deliver up to 110,000 hectares of restored peatland by 2026, and Brian Whittle knows that our target in relation to 2030 is to restore 250,000 hectares. That is something that we are keen to do to build capacity, because we know that we need to go faster than we are currently going.

We are looking very closely at the report that Brian Whittle referenced, but Forest Research recently carried out quite a comprehensive study on CO₂ uptake achieved through creation of different types of woodland. The key finding of the Forest Research study is that all types of woodland, including conifer, broadleaf and natural recolonisation woodland, have important roles to play

We will listen to any experts in that regard, and we are looking at the report that Brian Whittle referenced in his question.

As is to be expected, there is a range of opinions on the subject, but Scotland’s forests are an important carbon sink. The strategy of having the right tree in the right place is crucial, but does the First Minister share my view that expanding, restoring and improving forests and woodlands has a key role to play in achieving our net zero targets and restoring Scotland’s natural environment?

The First Minister:

Yes, absolutely. Currently more than 75 per cent of woodland creation across the UK is in Scotland. Scotland’s forests and forestry sector are making a vital contribution to our reaching our climate change targets. We have set out bold plans in the climate change plan to increase woodland cover to 21 per cent by 2032, by planting than 18,000 hectares a year, including 4,000 hectares of native woodland. We have also taken steps to further protect and restore our iconic Atlantic rainforest and Caledonian pine woods. Our package of measures will deliver towards net zero and restore the biodiversity that underpins our economy and, importantly, the wellbeing of our planet and of local communities.