Glasgow City Region’s Clyde Climate Forest Receives Funding Surge.
Glasgow City Region’s Clyde Climate Forest (CCF) has recently secured £200,000 in funding, with contributions from eight local councils within the region. This financial support was granted by the Glasgow City Region Cabinet, utilizing each member council’s UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund allocation.
Councillor Susan Aitken, Chair of the Glasgow City Region Cabinet and Leader of Glasgow City Council, remarked on the project’s potential to make a significant impact on the climate and ecological crisis. The ambitious goal of planting 18 million trees across the City Region over the next ten years will offer numerous benefits for local communities, Scotland, and the environment at large.
The UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund aims to promote equal opportunities and prosperity, enhancing pride in one’s community and fostering a stronger social fabric. As part of a Concordat agreement, the councils have also committed to helping deliver the 18 million trees in the coming decade, which will address both climate change and biodiversity concerns.
The councils will identify tree planting locations in urban areas most susceptible to climate change, support tree planting in these “target neighborhoods,” and align their resources with CCF resources. Scottish Forestry has pledged an additional £70,000 in funding, bolstering the CCF’s objectives.
The newly planted trees will offer several benefits, such as absorbing rainwater during heavy downpours, providing cooling effects during heatwaves, and establishing vital habitats for wildlife. Furthermore, the councils have committed to identifying land holdings suitable for woodland creation as part of their plans to achieve “Net Zero.”
Max Hislop, Director of Clyde Climate Forest, expressed his delight at the funding increase and the unanimous agreement of all eight local councils on the critical role CCF plays in enhancing Glasgow City Region’s climate resilience, facilitating “Net Zero” achievement, and restoring damaged ecosystems. The funding will enable the CCF to pursue its ambitious tree planting targets over the next decade.
New woodlands and forests throughout the city-region will sequester atmospheric carbon and generate new job opportunities. These renewable resources could also be utilized in the construction industry, reducing the reliance on carbon-intensive materials like concrete and steel.
Launched in June 2021, the Clyde Climate Forest project has already overseen the planting of over 1.2 million trees across the region, including around 50,000 urban trees planted by local schoolchildren and community groups. Tree planting assessments have been completed for council-owned land, and several woodland projects are in development.
All eight councils have pledged their commitment to the Clyde Climate Forest’s delivery and have integrated CCF targets into their own plans and policies, furthering their own Net Zero objectives.
UK Government Minister for Scotland, Malcolm Offord, highlighted the importance of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in empowering local leaders and communities. He praised the collective effort in delivering the Clyde Climate Forest, which will support climate and biodiversity goals while creating a more enjoyable environment for residents.
Get involved in tree planting, donate, or support a local project by visiting: https://www.clydeclimateforest.co.uk/ways-to-support-us
