Cutting our carbon emissions

two women and a man in high vis clothing and hard hats looking at plans in front of a timber clad building

We will be net zero by 2030

We're tackling the causes of climate change by cutting our emissions.

Our goal for Forestry England is to be net zero by 2030. 

What do we mean by ‘net zero’?

To tackle climate change we all need to significantly reduce our carbon emissions. The goal is to limit global warming to well below 2°C and preferably to 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels, in line with the Paris Agreement.

Forests help reduce the impact of climate change and they play an important role. But the world can't rely on offsetting by trees to decarbonise. We need to tackle the cause of the problem first to eliminate as much carbon as we can. Our net zero pledge aims to do this.

We're setting a science-based target to decarbonise our organisation, to remove our dependence on fossil fuels so that we reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. 

We're investing in low-carbon and renewable energy sources and changing how we do things.

How will we meet this target?

We’re focussing on reducing our energy consumption and removing fossil fuel use for heating, lighting, powering equipment and travel needs. 

  • We have already been working towards reducing our energy needs as far as possible, and using what we do need more efficiently.
  • We are planning how we can produce more of our own clean energy using the land we manage, sourcing and producing energy from solar, wind and hydro power. 
  • Between now and 2030, we will put in the smart energy, storage and communication infrastructure across the country, so we can continue our work without depending on fossil fuels. 
  • We're reducing vehicles emissions by travelling less and using more sustainable modes when we do. Where possible, we are replacing fleet vehicles with electric and low emission models and installing charging points. 
  • We'll continually measure and review our emissions, always eliminating avoidable emissions first before identifying the best ways to offset any remaining in order to meet our goal.

Beyond 2030

Our mission is to be a climate positive organisation. We are committed to expanding the nation's forests, but we want to go beyond that. We want to create more environmental benefits by how we use our infrastructure.

The new visitor welcome point at Delamere Forest

Building for the future: Delamere Forest

Sustainability was at the forefront of all the building designs in our largest ever site redevelopment project, completed at Delamere Forest in 2020.

The award-winning main building is a large timber-framed visitor centre, clad in UK grown larch. We incorporated solar panels, a ground source heat pump, a sustainable drainage design and rainwater harvesting, as well as the latest LED lighting and low energy products. 

How we're acting for climate and nature:

Aerial view of forest in autumn colour with a river running through it
Article
Our climate actions

Healthy forests are vital for a sustainable future. With your support, we're making sure the nation's forests will thrive.

Woman looking up at trees with ipad clipboard
Article
Adapting forests for the future

We are adapting for the future and planning decades ahead to make sure the nation’s forests will be enjoyed for generations to come.

Red squirrel eating a nut
Article
Wildlife thrives in our care

We care for some of the most valuable places for wildlife in the country.

Woman standing with spade next to a log pile
Article
Sustainable timber, flourishing forests

Forests care for us. Together we care for forests.