CAMPAIGN Forestry/Climate Change
n By Keith Hatch
Can’t see the trees or the wood…
Employment in forestry can provide green jobs for the future and be an important part of the UK’s drive to net zero, and Unite members are at the front line carrying out work that makes a difference to the environment. But the potential for more jobs is not being realised.
Last year’s A Net Zero workforce report from the Climate Change Commission (CCC) suggested that tree planting alone could see up to 40,000 new jobs being created.
The CCC is an independent adviser to the government and its report looked at sections of the economy, including forestry, which can provide employment and growth while helping
the UK meet its commitment to be net- zero by 2050.
The CCC isn’t the only organisation to recognise the huge potential for forestry to provide sustainable jobs that can help the fight against climate change. The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), working with the International Labour
Organisation (ILO) recently published Green jobs in the forestry sector.
The UNECE website introducing the report says, “Until recently, forest jobs were mostly associated with traditional activities related to silviculture (the growing and cultivation of trees) and timber harvesting. Today, the potential for the creation of new job opportunities is enhancing all forest ecosystem functions.”
These reports highlight the huge potential for new jobs in the sector, but, so far, there has been little movement from the UK government to help develop the skills and jobs needed.
HLS – Lorna (far left) and the team 10 uniteLANDWORKER Spring 2024
Funding fears threaten growth in forestry jobs
Lorna Bailey-Towler is a habitat restoration officer, working at Forestry England in the South of England, and a Unite shop steward.
Lorna says she has yet to see any jobs boost in forestry. She explained, “Things like the Ukraine War, Brexit, high inflation and the uncertain financial climate has had a big impact on the industry resulting in costs rising higher than income. In Forestry England we’ve seen a freeze on recruitment as a result and a tightening of budgets.”
Though it isn’t all negative. Lorna added, “In the conservation side of our business we’ve been successful in applying for external funding and grants to carry out restoration works that will contribute to moving to Net Zero. For example, in the south district as part of the Dorset Peat Partnership we have been successful in securing external funding from Natural England’s Nature for Climate Peatland Discovery Grant scheme, to carry out peatland restoration. This grant pays for existing staff to plan, and project manage restoration works on five Forestry England sites in Dorset and allows funds to employ external contractors to undertake the practical restoration work.”
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