Tree planting targets and public attitudes in Wales
Significant gap between public support for tree planting in Wales and current progress towards national targets.
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Our analysis shows that Wales is projected to achieve only around 14% of its 2030 woodland creation target under current planting rates, indicating a substantial shortfall in delivery.
This projected gap exists despite strong public backing for increased tree planting. Polling conducted by More in Common for ECIU finds that two-thirds (66%) of Welsh adults support significantly expanding tree planting, even where this would involve converting some farmland into woodland. The polling suggests that public support extends to a range of land-use approaches, including agroforestry systems and the use of lower-productivity land for woodland creation.
The analysis situates these findings within the wider context of climate and environmental policy. Trees are identified as a key mechanism for carbon removal, with more than 70% of carbon sequestration from new woodland expected to come from trees planted within the next five years. This places particular importance on near-term planting rates, given the time required for trees to mature and deliver climate benefits.
Beyond carbon capture, the report references a range of additional benefits associated with tree planting. These include reducing flood risk by improving water absorption in soils, as well as supporting agricultural resilience by providing shade for livestock during heatwaves. These co-benefits are relevant in the Welsh context, where recent weather events—including record temperatures and flooding—have underscored the impacts of climate change.
The analysis also identifies a broader UK-wide shortfall in tree planting, estimating a cumulative gap of approximately 41,000 hectares by 2030. This represents not only missed planting targets but also lost opportunities for carbon removal that cannot easily be recovered at a later stage. The Welsh shortfall therefore contributes to a wider challenge in meeting climate and land-use objectives.
Overall, the findings indicate a divergence between public opinion and current policy outcomes. While there is clear voter support for increased tree planting, delivery remains significantly below required levels. The analysis suggests that closing this gap will depend on translating stated policy ambitions into sustained and adequately resourced implementation, particularly over the next five years, which are identified as critical for meeting longer-term climate goals.