The Scottish Government’s top priority is to grow the economy in a sustainable way to raise everyone’s quality of life. The Scottish Forestry Strategy takes a wide view of Scotland’s forests and the role they play in wider society, with a strong emphasis on:
- Communities and leisure
- Health and wellbeing
- Biodiversity and the environment
Its core principles are based on sustainable development and social inclusion, achieved through a culture of ‘forestry for and with people’ and delivered in well managed forests and woodlands that integrate effectively with other land uses and businesses.
The strategy aims to grow woodland cover to 25 percent of Scotland’s land area by 2050, and deliver annual carbon savings of 0.6 million tonnes of carbon (MtC) by 2010, 0.8 MtC by 2015 and 1.0 MtC by 2020.
A new industry strategy
The Scottish Forest and Timber Technologies Advisory Group has published its new Roots for Future Growth strategy which aims to grow the forest and timber sector through investment and innovation in sustainable resources, processing capacity and products, markets and peoples.
It will also focus on the opportunities that are available in the transition to a low carbon economy.
More on the Roots for Future Growth strategy