Friends of the Earth's Tree Summit: an online event

Key details

When: Tuesday 1 December 2020, 9.30-17.15

Where: The summit will take place online. Once you're registered, you'll be sent details of the event including a link to join the summit online. 

What you'll need: A laptop or computer, internet connection and ideally a headset with microphone. 

Who can join: This one-day online event is designed for decision-makers, government, landowners, farmers, foresters, scientists, activists, public sector workers and people who work in the environmental sector who want to explore new ideas and visions for the future of UK trees and woodland.

We only have a limited number of places so please book your free ticket as soon as possible to avoid missing out. 

Why now's the time to host a tree summit

The close of 2020 will be a significant landmark in defining how tree planting and woodland creation will contribute to address the twin challenges of climate breakdown and biodiversity loss, within the context of a radically changing approach to UK land use.

The government are due to publish their finalised England Tree Strategy and are continuing to develop proposals for future farm payments through the Environmental Land Management Scheme. In December the Committee on Climate Change will publish their 6th Carbon Budget recommendations, which will play an important role in influencing the debate and is expected to strengthen the case for ambitious levels of reforestation. 

UK woodland cover stands at only 13% of our land area, way below the EU28 average of 38% cover. While Scotland is making strong progress towards long-term planting targets, the rates of tree planting in England and Wales are low, and falling.   The UK is way behind where it should be.  Friends of the Earth is calling for a doubling of UK tree cover as part of a package of essential measures to meet the UK’s Net zero targets for cutting carbon. 

The UK’s national tree week, 28 November 2020-6 December 2020, is a time to celebrate trees.  During this week Friends of the Earth will be hosting a “National Tree Summit” and we're inviting key stakeholders to share their vision on the future of UK trees and woodland. 

What to expect at the summit

The agenda for our online event is being finalised. However we already have some key speakers and talks confirmed. They include:

• Ministerial address. Forestry Minister Zac Goldsmith.
• Opening address on the climate crisis and the role of trees. Lord Deben, Chair of the Committee on Climate Change. 
• The role of native woodlands in meeting tree targets and cutting carbon. Darren Moorcroft, Chief Executive of the Woodland Trust. 
• Agroforestry off the starting blocks: the launch of the Defra ELM agroforestry tests and trials pilot. Stephen Briggs, arable farmer and agroforester. 
• Natural regeneration and its potential to deliver at scale. Rewilding Britain's Rebecca Wrigley.
• Engaging landowners to grow more trees. Susan Twining, Chief Land Use Policy Advisor, CLA.
• Future vision for productive forestry. Mark Broadmeadow, Principle Adviser, Climate Change and Keith Jones, Area Director, North West & West Midlands from the Forestry Commission.