ANGER was growing last week over the government's decision to reduce its new legally-binding tree cover target by a third.
The proposal will see cover increased from its current level of 14.5 per cent to 16.5 per cent in England by 2050 under the post-Brexit Environment Act.
However, this would still be well short of today's EU average of 38 per cent and was down on the 17.5 per cent suggested by the government in its original consultation.
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In response, the Woodland Trust was among the organisations to express its disappointment, accusing ministers of "making a mockery" of their environmental pledges.
Darren Moorcroft, the WT's CEO, said: “The Government has gone from hailing themselves to be a world leader on nature at biodiversity COP15, to now delivering watered down Environment Act targets that make a mockery of those claims.
"Slashing tree targets by a third from what was consulted on is highly disappointing at a time when ambition and action is so desperately needed.
"A lower target is worse for nature, and alongside this, the absence of a target for quality native woodland gives no guarantee the new trees and woods will be good for nature."
Criticism also came from Soil Association policy advisor Alex Mackaness, who called the move "highly questionable", and said ministers should pledge to increase farm woodland cover by 50 per cent.
The Government initially came under fire when it missed the October 31, 2022, deadline to unveil its targets for air quality, water, wildlife, waste reduction and resource efficiency.
Environment Secretary Therese Coffey, speaking at the UN Convention in Montreal last week, said: “We are committed to leaving our natural world in a better state for future generations and today we are laying the foundations that will help deliver on this commitment.
“These targets are ambitious and will be challenging to achieve – but they will drive our efforts to restore our natural environment, protect our much-loved landscapes and green spaces and marine environment, as well as help tackle climate change.”
The Government will publish its Environmental Improvement Plan in January setting out how it will work to achieve the targets in more detail.
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