Flagship Action 4: Clyde Climate Forest
Intention The Clyde Climate Forest (CCF) will build on the current momentum for tree planting and associated green- blue infrastructure, channelling it into transformative tree planting projects within the River Clyde catchment that deliver a broad range of climate, social and ecological benefits to Glasgow City Region. The initiative will engage with communities to ensure legacy. The CCF project is focusing on three elements: • canopy – opportunities to increase canopy cover through new tree planting, particularly in areas of deprivation and at risk from the impacts of climate change • connectivity – where new woodland planting will make connections that provide a potential migration route for woodland species from the headwaters of the River Clyde through to the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park • carbon – where woodland creation will deliver good carbon sequestration opportunities.
By 2032, the project aims to increase average urban canopy to 20%, average woodland habitat network area by 20% and regional woodland cover to 20%.
Outcomes Tree planting at scale is required as part of the solution to the climate and ecological emergencies. The connectivity of the CCF and the expansion of new areas will ensure that ecological systems are resilient. The new urban trees planted as part of the CCF will also help to manage climate risk through the management of rain and surface water during heavy rainstorms which otherwise will increasingly impact on the conurbation of Glasgow. They will also act to reduce overheating in urban area through transpiration and shading during the more frequent heatwaves which will also impact our region. The new forests and woodland created as part of the CCF in rural parts of the region will not only sequester atmospheric carbon but will also provide natural flood management to reduce downstream fluvial flooding. They will provide connections between habitats for woodland biodiversity making them more resilient to a changing climate. These areas will provide much larger benefits for recreation, active transport connections, etc. that will have large benefits for the health and well-being of the region. Structured correctly, an innovative revolving model also has the potential to unlock wider funds for further protection of ecosystems and habitats, including and critically, peatland restoration. As well as directly reducing climate risks, the CCF will also inspire others to act further, by showing the benefits the trees provide. It also has the potential to provide education and training opportunities and new green jobs, supporting the wider transition to a green economy.
Supports delivery of the following Adaptation Strategy interventions 5 6 8 9
Key partners EIT Climate-KIC, NatureScot, Glasgow and Clyde Valley Green Network Partnership, Scottish Forestry, Glasgow City Region Partnership, Woodland Trust, TCV, Green Action Trust, Trees for Cities, Forestry and Land Scotland, Scottish Water, Forestry & Woodland Sector, Architecture & Design Scotland, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, NHS Lanarkshire
72
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online