Plans to plant ten trees for every person in Glasgow City Region

As the city prepares to host COP26 in November, it has been revealed that ten trees for every person in Glasgow City Region will be planted as part of a new urban 'forest' to tackle climate change.

The ambitious planting pledge lies at the heart of the new Clyde Climate Forest, which is part of the Glasgow & Clyde Valley Green Network, and will breathe new life across the eight local authorities in the region.

Approximately 18 million trees will be planted over the next decade, increasing woodland cover in the region from 17 per cent to 20 per cent. The pledge is being viewed as an ideal opportunity for Glasgow City Region to demonstrate its commitment to reaching Net Zero.

Working to the principle of 'the right tree in the right place', the project team aims to plant trees in areas of deprivation, former coalmining sites, vacant and derelict land, urban streets and other civic places.

As part of the long-term plans, the project team at Clyde Climate Forest is calling on community groups and land managers to help them identify places to plant new trees, or replace ones that have been lost in the past.

Andrew Polson, chair of the Land Use and Sustainability Portfolio for Glasgow City Region, said: "Trees are nature's own green lungs, improving the air that we breathe and soaking up harmful CO2 emissions from our environment. Expanding Glasgow City Region's woodlands to create a new inter-connected forest will provide many lasting benefits. There are opportunities for communities, schools, businesses and landowners to get involved in our planting mission. We all have a fantastic opportunity to work collectively to improve our living environment whilst tackling climate change at the same time."