Scottish Government pledge to plant 100 million trees

The Scottish Government have announced that Scotland will plant 100 million trees by 2015 as their contribution to a global pledge.

The pledge will result in a 3.7 per cent increase to Scotland's forest area and contributes towards the Climate Group States and Regions aim to plant one billion trees by 2015.

The group, whose members include California, Quebec and Scotland, hopes to persuade governments, businesses and communities worldwide to plant a tree for everyone on the planet to help counter climate change.

Climate Change Minister Stewart Stevenson said: "Greater forest cover will help cut emissions through either directly absorbing CO2 or by providing more sustainable materials for construction and renewable energy."

"As a nation we are determined to make progress and achieve our target to reduce emissions by 42 per cent by 2020, while at the same time contributing to other objectives such as food security."

Further information:
The Scottish Government