It sets out Scotland’s ambition to:
- have more forests and woodlands
- deliver more benefits to the people of Scotland
These benefits include:
- carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation
- enhancing and protecting Scotland’s rich biodiversity
- growing an inclusive and sustainable economy
- helping Scotland’s people
- adapt to the changing climate
- improve their health and well-being
As a cornerstone of Scotland’s forestry ambitions, the Strategy builds on over a century of progress led by the Forestry Commission and is firmly grounded in legislation. It reflects our commitment to stewarding Scotland’s forests for future generations.
Scotland's Forestry Strategy 2019 to 2029
Implementation plan
Scotland's current Forestry Strategy Implementation Plan was prepared with input from the national forestry stakeholder reference group and key delivery partners.
Scotland's Forestry Strategy Implementation Plan 2022-2025
The current plan runs until March 2026 and contains partnership actions to ensure forestry:
- delivers government priorities to achieve Net Zero and ensure a just transition
- addresses biodiversity loss
- delivers a green recovery
- adapts to climate change by enhancing the resilience of our forests and communities
Monitoring
A set of high-level indicators has been identified to track progress against the strategy’s 10-year objectives:
- total area of forests and woodlands
- area of woodland creation
- area of UK Woodland Assurance Standard certified forests and woodland
- area of forests and woodland covered by management plans
- number of community groups that own and lease forests and woodland
- economic contribution of forestry to the Scottish economy
- volume of available timber
- forestry sector net greenhouse gas emissions
- woodland ecological condition score
- condition of protected forest and woodland sites
- index of Abundance for Scottish Terrestrial Breeding Birds – Woodland Species
- number of visits to forests and woodlands
Scotland's Forestry Strategy 2019-2029 description of indicators
Reporting
You can read our report setting out the progress made in delivering Scotland’s Forestry Strategy (2019-2029), between 1 April 2019 – 31 March 2022. This was presented before the Scottish Parliament on 16 December 2022.
Scotland's Forestry Strategy: Progress Report 2019-2022
The next report will be delivered to Scottish parliament in December 2025.
