Scotland's Forestry Strategy 2019-2029: consultation draft

3. A vision for forestry in Scotland

We have inherited this hugely expanded and valuable resource and it needs careful and considered management to ensure that we make the most of it, protect it, and enhance it for the future. Given that forestry is a long-term business and the productive lifespan of trees in Scotland generally ranges from 30-150 years, it is important that our strategy takes a long-term approach so that we grow trees now which will meet the needs of the Scottish people in 2070 and beyond. We have therefore developed an ambitious long-term vision to drive action across the public and private sectors, in a shared national endeavour, to deliver more from Scotland's forests and woodlands.

3.1 Our 50-year vision for forestry in Scotland

Scotland will have more forests and woodlands, which will be sustainably managed as a much greater part of the nation's natural capital, providing a resilient, high quality and growing resource that supports a strong economy, a thriving environment, and healthy and empowered communities.

This vision is based on:

• A long-term commitment to sustainable modern forestry as a key land-use in Scotland.
• A sustained programme of woodland expansion
• Increasing the already substantial economic, environmental and social benefits of forestry to Scotland by addressing key challenges and harnessing opportunities.
• Promoting multi-purpose forestry and the sustainable management of Scotland's forests and woodlands.
• A commitment to the principle of the right tree, in the right place for the right purpose.
• Integrating forestry with other land-uses and businesses.
• Supporting the delivery of the Scottish Government's purpose and National Performance Framework^[6].

Therefore, this draft strategy focuses on both the sustainable management of the forests we have inherited and the establishment of new woodlands, which will help realise our long-term vision for forestry in Scotland.

Q1. Do you agree with our long-term vision for forestry in Scotland? Please explain your answer.

Box 2 below gives examples of current government forestry commitments, targets and duties, including an ambition to expand forest and woodland cover, a target to create new native woodlands and a commitment for forests to be managed sustainably to make a greater contribution towards Scotland's natural capital.

Box 2 - Existing government forestry commitments, targets and duties

Climate Change Plan^[7]

By 2032 Scotland's woodland cover will increase from around 18% to 21% of the Scottish Land Area.

Further expanding Scotland's forests and woodlands supports the sustainable supply of wood products and the fulfilment of the Scottish Government's commitments on climate change and biodiversity.

As this sustainable woodland resource increases and produces more wood fibre, more timber will be used in construction, consequently storing more sequestered carbon in buildings and providing jobs and investment in the wood products industry.

The focus for delivering this ambition is to:

• increase the annual woodland creation target of 10,000 hectares (ha) per year to 15,000 ha by 2024/25; and
• increase the use of Scottish wood products in construction from 2.2 million m³ to 3.0 million m³ by 2031/32.

By 2050 Scotland's woodland will be delivering a greater level of carbon sequestration and ecosystem services, such as contributing to natural flood management and improving biodiversity. Forests will be making a greater contribution towards Scotland's natural capital stocks, and this renewable natural resource will be sustainably managed for the benefit of future generations.

Scottish Biodiversity Strategy: Route Map 2020^[8]

Under Priority Project 2 - Restoration of native woodland, the Scottish Government has committed to improve the condition and extent of existing native woodlands and to further increase new woodland planting

The associated targets are as follows:

• Increase the amount of native woodland in good condition (upwards from 46% as identified by the Native Woodland Survey of Scotland).
• Create 3,000 to 5,000 ha of new native woodland per year.
• Restore approximately 10,000 ha of native woodland into satisfactory condition in partnership with private woodland owners through Deer Management Plans.

Duties

Scottish Ministers also have a number of duties that they must carry out which relate to forestry. Some of the most relevant include:

• Forestry & Land Management Scotland (Act) 2018^[9]: promote Sustainable Forest Management
• Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016^[10]: promote the principles set out in the Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement^[11], to ensure that the full public benefits from land in Scotland are realised.
• Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004^[12]: further the conservation of biodiversity.

As a country, we consistently establish the majority of the new woodland created across the UK, making a key contribution to delivering both Scotland's climate change commitments and those of the UK.

3.2 Our objectives for the next 10 years

To support this 50-year vision, we have identified three primary objectives for this draft strategy to deliver over the next 10 years:

1. Increase the contribution of forests and woodlands to Scotland's sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

2. Protect and enhance Scotland's valuable natural assets, ensuring that our forests and woodlands are resilient and contribute to a healthy and high quality environment.

3. Use Scotland's forest and woodland resources to empower more people to improve their health, well-being and life chances.

The following diagram illustrates the link between these objectives, the Scottish Government's National Outcomes and associated UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Figure 1 - The links between the Scottish Government's purpose, National Outcomes, the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the draft strategy 10-year objectives.

Q2. Does the strategy identify the right objectives for forestry in Scotland over the next 10 years? Please explain your answer.