These annexes follow on from the climate change adaptation reporting fourth round webpage.

Annex 1 - policy published since ARP3 

Policy and important documents related to, or impacting on, adaption in England’s forests since ARP3:

• Designing and managing forests and woodlands to reduce flood risk (2022)
• UK Forestry Standard Practice Guide – Adapting forest and woodland management to the changing climate (2022)
• UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) fifth revision published (2023)
• Environmental Improvement Plan (2023)
• Third National Adaptation Programme (NAP) (2023)
• Decision support framework for peatland protection, the establishment of new woodland and re-establishment of existing woodland on peatland in England (2023)
• UK Forestry Standard Practice Guide - Creating and managing riparian woodland (2024)

Annex 2 - Forestry Commission core actions against NAP3 Risks and planned actions

NAP risks addressed: N1

How we will do it: supporting local nature recovery strategies

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N1)

(1.) The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) will work with stakeholders to create and restore habitats and ecosystem functions, including those most at risk from climate change.
(2.) Defra will continue to support stakeholders to carry out ecosystem restoration and management in an integrated landscape context, considering the current and future role of Protected Sites and wider habitats in the wider context of biogeographic change.
(3.) Defra will continue to support stakeholders to use spatial prioritisation for habitat restoration and creation, informed by climate projections, such as projected hazard and land suitability mapping, through the NAP3 implementation period to 2028 and beyond.
(4.) Defra will continue to support stakeholders to target activity to support vulnerable species and habitats.

How we will do it: adaptation of land management to wildfire risk programme

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N1)

(7.) The Home Office, supported by Defra, will scope out a Wildfire Strategy and Action Plan by mid-2024, reporting on the outcomes of the scoping exercise. Defra will develop ‘adaptation of land management to wildfire risk’ guidance by 2026. Defra will work with public and private sector land managers to develop wildfire management plans for 20,000 hectares of habitat by 2025.

How we will do it: wildfire risk research and development

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

Wildfire risk research and development, including:

• England wildfire risk map
• wildfire risk reduction measures
• cause and motives of wildfire ignitions
• statistical analysis of wildfire incidents; economic, social and environmental impacts of wildfires
• vegetation fire observer and behaviour protocols and products by 2028

NAP risk: actions addressed (N1)

(7.) The Home Office, supported by Defra, will scope out a Wildfire Strategy and Action Plan by mid-2024, reporting on the outcomes of the scoping exercise. Defra will develop ‘adaptation of land management to wildfire risk’ guidance by 2026. Defra will work with public and private sector land managers to develop wildfire management plans for 20,000 hectares of habitat by 2025.

How we will do it: Woodland for Water Partnership, and the Woodland Water Code

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N1)

Not included in NAP3.

NAP risks addressed: N3

How we will do it: promoting the use of honorary natives and regional migration of tree species

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N3)

(1.) Defra will create and restore habitats and ecosystem functions as set out in N1 Action 1 to establish resilient, functioning and connected ecosystems and habitats and facilitate the natural movement of species within and across landscapes.
(2.) Defra will continue to increase opportunities for the persistence and expansion of native threatened species, including those identified as vulnerable to climate change
(3.) Defra will make Protected Site designation and management more dynamic to promote adaptation to the changing climate. The climate change risk posed to Sites of Special Scientific Interest will be considered as part of condition assessment.

NAP risk addressed: N4

How we will do it: promoting cultivation best practice and use of Continuous Cover Forestry systems

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N4)

(3.) Defra will encourage landowners to sustainably manage at least 40% of England’s agricultural soils by 2028 so that it will be more resilient to the impacts of drought and flooding and better able to support food and biomass production.

How we will do it: ongoing forest soil survey

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N4)

(1.) Defra will establish soil monitoring schemes by spring 2024, collect robust baseline data of soil health across all land use types in England to measure and monitor soil health and inform targeted interventions and land management practices by 2028.

NAP risk addressed: N5 (forestry)

How we will do it: Climate Matching Tool

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N5 forestry)

(2.) Defra, the Forestry Commission and Forestry Climate Change Partnership will continue upskilling the forestry sector’s understanding of climate change and measures to limit its impact through the NAP3 implementation period and beyond.
(3.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will ensure new woodlands have current and future climate conditions considered in their design and species choice. Grant applications for new woodland will be evaluated by 2028 to assess progress against this action.

How we will do it: Forest Research Climate Change Hub

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N5 forestry)

(2.) Defra, the Forestry Commission and Forestry Climate Change Partnership will continue upskilling the forestry sector’s understanding of climate change and measures to limit its impact through the NAP3 implementation period and beyond.
(4.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will set out plans in the Tree and Woodland Resilience Strategy to increase adaptive management of existing trees and woodlands (including ancient woodland) in 2024 to reduce loss from hazards such as wildfire, drought and windblow.

How we will do it: UK Forestry Standard Adaptation Practice Guide

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N5 forestry)

(2.) Defra, the Forestry Commission and Forestry Climate Change Partnership will continue upskilling the forestry sector’s understanding of climate change and measures to limit its impact through the NAP3 implementation period and beyond.
(3.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will ensure new woodlands have current and future climate conditions considered in their design and species choice. Grant applications for new woodland will be evaluated by 2028 to assess progress against this action.
(4.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will set out plans in the Tree and Woodland Resilience Strategy to increase adaptive management of existing trees and woodlands (including ancient woodland) in 2024 to reduce loss from hazards such as wildfire, drought and windblow
(5.) The Home Office, supported by Defra, will scope out a Wildfire Strategy and Action Plan by mid-2024, reporting on the outcomes of the scoping exercise. Defra will develop ‘adaptation of land management to wildfire risk’ guidance by 2026. Defra will work with public and private sector land managers to develop wildfire management plans for 20,000 hectares of habitat by 2025.
(6.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will support land managers to increase the number of woodlands within high-risk areas that have wildfire management plans within woodland management plans by 2030 to mitigate the risk of this increasing climatic hazard.
(7.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will continue to support implementation of Continuous Cover Forestry more widely to maintain forestry habitats and have higher long-term carbon stocks than woodlands managed on a rotational clear-fell basis.

How we will do it: Woodland Carbon Code

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N5 forestry)

(1.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will seek to treble tree planting rates over the current Parliament on a path to achieve the new statutory target of increasing tree canopy and woodland cover from 14.5% to 16.5% by 2050.
(8.) Defra will use climate risk forecasts to inform net zero woodland creation policies, so that tree planting is spatially targeted to account for climate risk. This will be implemented in the post-Nature for Climate Fund forestry policies, including urban tree cover, by 2026.

How we will do it: England Woodland Creation Offer

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N5 forestry)

(1.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will seek to treble tree planting rates over the current Parliament on a path to achieve the new statutory target of increasing tree canopy and woodland cover from 14.5% to 16.5% by 2050.
(3.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will ensure new woodlands have current and future climate conditions considered in their design and species choice. Grant applications for new woodland will be evaluated by 2028 to assess progress against this action.
(7.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will continue to support implementation of Continuous Cover Forestry more widely to maintain forestry habitats and have higher long-term carbon stocks than woodlands managed on a rotational clear-fell basis. There will be an increase in woodlands in Continuous Cover Forestry management
54 by 2050.
(8.) Defra will use climate risk forecasts to inform net zero woodland creation policies, so that tree planting is spatially targeted to account for climate risk.

How we will do it: Nature for Climate Fund tree and woodland creation delivery mechanisms

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N5 forestry)

(1.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will seek to treble tree planting rates over the current Parliament on a path to achieve the new statutory target of increasing tree canopy and woodland cover from 14.5% to 16.5% by 2050.
(3.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will ensure new woodlands have current and future climate conditions considered in their design and species choice. Grant applications for new woodland will be evaluated by 2028 to assess progress against this action.
(8.) Defra will use climate risk forecasts to inform net zero woodland creation policies, so that tree planting is spatially targeted to account for climate risk.

How we will do it: Woodland Creation Planning Grant

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N5 forestry)

(1.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will seek to treble tree planting rates over the current Parliament on a path to achieve the new statutory target of increasing tree canopy and woodland cover from 14.5% to 16.5% by 2050.
(3.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will ensure new woodlands have current and future climate conditions considered in their design and species choice. Grant applications for new woodland will be evaluated by 2028 to assess progress against this action.
(8.) Defra will use climate risk forecasts to inform net zero woodland creation policies, so that tree planting is spatially targeted to account for climate risk.

How we will do it: Grey Squirrel Action Plan

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N5 forestry)

(4.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will set out plans in the Tree and Woodland Resilience Strategy to increase adaptive management of existing trees and woodlands (including ancient woodland) in 2024 to reduce loss from hazards such as wildfire, drought and windblow.

How we will do it: National Deer Management Strategy

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N5 forestry)

(4.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will set out plans in the Tree and Woodland Resilience Strategy to increase adaptive management of existing trees and woodlands (including ancient woodland) in 2024 to reduce loss from hazards such as wildfire, drought and windblow.

How we will do it: Tree and Woodland Resilience Strategy

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N5 forestry)

(2.) Defra, the Forestry Commission and Forestry Climate Change Partnership will continue upskilling the forestry sector’s understanding of climate change and measures to limit its impact through the NAP3 implementation period and beyond.
(3.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will ensure new woodlands have current and future climate conditions considered in their design and species choice. Grant applications for new woodland will be evaluated by 2028 to assess progress against this action.
(4.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will set out plans in the Tree and Woodland Resilience Strategy to increase adaptive management of existing trees and woodlands (including ancient woodland) in 2024 to reduce loss from hazards such as wildfire, drought and windblow.

How we will do it: Seed Sourcing Grant

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N5 forestry)

(3.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will ensure new woodlands have current and future climate conditions considered in their design and species choice. Grant applications for new woodland will be evaluated by 2028 to assess progress against this action.
(4.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will set out plans in the Tree and Woodland Resilience Strategy to increase adaptive management of existing trees and woodlands (including ancient woodland) in 2024 to reduce loss from hazards such as wildfire, drought and windblow.

How we will do it: Tree Production Capital Grant

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N5 forestry)

(3.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will ensure new woodlands have current and future climate conditions considered in their design and species choice. Grant applications for new woodland will be evaluated by 2028 to assess progress against this action.
(4.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will set out plans in the Tree and Woodland Resilience Strategy to increase adaptive management of existing trees and woodlands (including ancient woodland) in 2024 to reduce loss from hazards such as wildfire, drought and windblow.

How we will do it: Tree Production Innovation Fund

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N5 forestry)

(3.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will ensure new woodlands have current and future climate conditions considered in their design and species choice. Grant applications for new woodland will be evaluated by 2028 to assess progress against this action.
(4.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will set out plans in the updated Tree Health Resilience Strategy to increase adaptive management of existing trees and woodlands (including ancient woodland) in 2024 to reduce loss from hazards such as wildfire, drought and windblow.

How we will do it: Environmental Land Management schemes

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N5 forestry)

(1.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will seek to treble tree planting rates over the current Parliament on a path to achieve the new statutory target of increasing tree canopy and woodland cover from 14.5% to 16.5% by 2050.
(3.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will ensure new woodlands have current and future climate conditions considered in their design and species choice. Grant applications for new woodland will be evaluated by 2028 to assess progress against this action.
(4.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will set out plans in the Tree and Woodland Resilience Strategy to increase adaptive management of existing trees and woodlands (including ancient woodland) in 2024 to reduce loss from hazards such as wildfire, drought and windblow.
(7.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will continue to support implementation of Continuous Cover Forestry more widely to maintain forestry habitats and have higher long-term carbon stocks than woodlands managed on a rotational clear-fell basis. There will be an increase in woodlands in Continuous Cover Forestry management
54 by 2050.
(8.) Defra will use climate risk forecasts to inform net zero woodland creation policies, so that tree planting is spatially targeted to account for climate risk.

How we will do it: Big Nature Impact Fund and Green Finance support

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N5 forestry)

(1.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will seek to treble tree planting rates over the current Parliament on a path to achieve the new statutory target of increasing tree canopy and woodland cover from 14.5% to 16.5% by 2050.
(3.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will ensure new woodlands have current and future climate conditions considered in their design and species choice. Grant applications for new woodland will be evaluated by 2028 to assess progress against this action.

How we will do it: Biodiversity Net Gain support

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N5 forestry)

(1.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will seek to treble tree planting rates over the current Parliament on a path to achieve the new statutory target of increasing tree canopy and woodland cover from 14.5% to 16.5% by 2050.
(3.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will ensure new woodlands have current and future climate conditions considered in their design and species choice. Grant applications for new woodland will be evaluated by 2028 to assess progress against this action.
(4.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will set out plans in the Tree and Woodland Resilience Strategy to increase adaptive management of existing trees and woodlands (including ancient woodland) in 2024 to reduce loss from hazards such as wildfire, drought and windblow.
(8.) Defra will use climate risk forecasts to inform net zero woodland creation policies, so that tree planting is spatially targeted to account for climate risk.

How we will do it: Natural Capital Ecosystem Assessment

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N5 forestry)

(8.) Defra will use climate risk forecasts to inform net zero woodland creation policies, so that tree planting is spatially targeted to account for climate risk.
(9.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will improve inter-annual monitoring of tree growth rates and consider more frequent reporting of woodland condition and tree mortality.

How we will do it: land use research and analysis support

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N5 forestry)

(8.) Defra will use climate risk forecasts to inform net zero woodland creation policies, so that tree planting is spatially targeted to account for climate risk.

How we will do it: Ips typographus surveillance and eradication programme

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N5 forestry)

No NAP3 actions specifically address this.

How we will do it: National Planning Policy Framework support

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N5 forestry)

(1.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will seek to treble tree planting rates over the current Parliament on a path to achieve the new statutory target of increasing tree canopy and woodland cover from 14.5% to 16.5% by 2050.

How we will do it: Environmental Impact Assessment regulatory process

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N5 forestry)

(1.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will seek to treble tree planting rates over the current Parliament on a path to achieve the new statutory target of increasing tree canopy and woodland cover from 14.5% to 16.5% by 2050.
(3.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will ensure new woodlands have current and future climate conditions considered in their design and species choice. Grant applications for new woodland will be evaluated by 2028 to assess progress against this action.

How we will do it: Nature for Climate Fund Research and Development Strategy

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N5 forestry)

(1.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will seek to treble tree planting rates over the current Parliament on a path to achieve the new statutory target of increasing tree canopy and woodland cover from 14.5% to 16.5% by 2050.
(2.) Defra, the Forestry Commission and Forestry Climate Change Partnership will continue upskilling the forestry sector’s understanding of climate change and measures to limit its impact through the NAP3 implementation period and beyond.
(3.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will ensure new woodlands have current and future climate conditions considered in their design and species choice. Grant applications for new woodland will be evaluated by 2028 to assess progress against this action.
(8.) Defra will use climate risk forecasts to inform net zero woodland creation policies, so that tree planting is spatially targeted to account for climate risk.
(9.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will improve inter-annual monitoring of tree growth rates and consider more frequent reporting of woodland condition and tree mortality.

How we will do it: Science and Innovation Strategy for Forestry in Great Britain

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N5 forestry)

(1.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will seek to treble tree planting rates over the current Parliament on a path to achieve the new statutory target of increasing tree canopy and woodland cover from 14.5% to 16.5% by 2050.
(2.) Defra, the Forestry Commission and Forestry Climate Change Partnership will continue upskilling the forestry sector’s understanding of climate change and measures to limit its impact through the NAP3 implementation period and beyond.
(3.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will ensure new woodlands have current and future climate conditions considered in their design and species choice. Grant applications for new woodland will be evaluated by 2028 to assess progress against this action.
(4.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will set out plans in the Tree and Woodland Resilience Strategy to increase adaptive management of existing trees and woodlands (including ancient woodland) in 2024 to reduce loss from hazards such as wildfire, drought and windblow.
(7.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will continue to support implementation of Continuous Cover Forestry more widely to maintain forestry habitats and have higher long-term carbon stocks than woodlands managed on a rotational clear-fell basis.
(8.) Defra will use climate risk forecasts to inform net zero woodland creation policies, so that tree planting is spatially targeted to account for climate risk.

How we will do it: Forest Development Types decision support tool

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N5 forestry)

(2.) Defra, the Forestry Commission and Forestry Climate Change Partnership will continue upskilling the forestry sector’s understanding of climate change and measures to limit its impact through the NAP3 implementation period and beyond.
(4.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will set out plans in the Tree and Woodland Resilience Strategy to increase adaptive management of existing trees and woodlands (including ancient woodland) in 2024 to reduce loss from hazards such as wildfire, drought and windblow
(7). Defra and the Forestry Commission will continue to support implementation of Continuous Cover Forestry more widely to maintain forestry habitats and have higher long-term carbon stocks than woodlands managed on a rotational clear-fell basis. There will be an increase in woodlands in Continuous Cover Forestry management
by 2050.

How we will do it: Ecological Site Classification decision support system

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N5 forestry)

(1.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will seek to treble tree planting rates over the current Parliament on a path to achieve the new statutory target of increasing tree canopy and woodland cover from 14.5% to 16.5% by 2050.
(3.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will ensure new woodlands have current and future climate conditions considered in their design and species choice. Grant applications for new woodland will be evaluated by 2028 to assess progress against this action.
(8.) Defra will use climate risk forecasts to inform net zero woodland creation policies, so that tree planting is spatially targeted to account for climate risk. This will be implemented in the post-Nature for Climate Fund forestry policies, including urban tree cover, by 2026.

How we will do it: England Trees Action Plan

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N5 forestry)

(4.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will set out plans in the Tree and Woodland Resilience Strategy to increase adaptive management of existing trees and woodlands (including ancient woodland) in 2024 to reduce loss from hazards such as wildfire, drought and windblow.
(9.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will improve inter-annual monitoring of tree growth rates and consider more frequent reporting of woodland condition and tree mortality. With this information on impacts and further analysis, data for woodland wildfire, wind damage and inter-annual variation in growth rates could directly measure the impacts of climate change on our natural carbon stores.

How we will do it: Woodland for Water Partnership and the Woodland Water Code

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N5 forestry)

(1.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will seek to treble tree planting rates over the current Parliament on a path to achieve the new statutory target of increasing tree canopy and woodland cover from 14.5% to 16.5% by 2050.
(3.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will ensure new woodlands have current and future climate conditions considered in their design and species choice. Grant applications for new woodland will be evaluated by 2028 to assess progress against this action.

How we will do it: Adaptation of land management to wildfire risk programme

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N5 forestry)

(4.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will set out plans in the Tree and Woodland Resilience Strategy to increase adaptive management of existing trees and woodlands (including ancient woodland) in 2024 to reduce loss from hazards such as wildfire, drought and windblow
(5.) The Home Office, supported by Defra, will scope out a Wildfire Strategy and Action Plan by mid-2024, reporting on the outcomes of the scoping exercise. Defra will develop ‘adaptation of land management to wildfire risk’ guidance by 2026. Defra will work with public and private sector land managers to develop wildfire management plans for 20,000 hectares of habitat by 2025.
(6.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will support land managers to increase the number of woodlands within high-risk areas that have wildfire management plans within woodland management plans by 2030 to mitigate the risk of this increasing climatic hazard.

How we will do it: Wildfire risk research and development

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

Wildfire risk research and development, including:

• England wildfire risk map
• wildfire risk reduction measures
• cause and motives of wildfire ignitions
• statistical analysis of wildfire incidents; economic, social and environmental impacts of wildfires; and vegetation fire observer and behaviour protocols and products by 2028

NAP risk: actions addressed (N5 forestry)

(4.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will set out plans in the Tree and Woodland Resilience Strategy to increase adaptive management of existing trees and woodlands (including ancient woodland) in 2024 to reduce loss from hazards such as wildfire, drought and windblow.
(5.) The Home Office, supported by Defra, will scope out a Wildfire Strategy and Action Plan by mid-2024, reporting on the outcomes of the scoping exercise. Defra will develop ‘adaptation of land management to wildfire risk’ guidance by 2026. Defra will work with public and private sector land managers to develop wildfire management plans for 20,000 hectares of habitat by 2025.
(6.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will support land managers to increase the number of woodlands within high-risk areas that have wildfire management plans within woodland management plans by 2030 to mitigate the risk of this increasing climatic hazard.

NAP risk addressed: N5 (peatlands)

How we will do it: England Peatland Action Plan Implementation Plan

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N5 peatlands)

(1.) Defra will restore 35,000 hectares of peat by 2025 and 280,000 hectares by 2050.
(6.) The Home Office, supported by Defra, will scope out a Wildfire Strategy and Action Plan by mid-2024, reporting on the outcomes of the scoping exercise. Wildfire mitigation and risk management will be included in the heather and grass management code to be published in 2025.

How we will do it: wildfire risk research and development

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

Wildfire risk research and development, including:

• England wildfire risk map
• wildfire risk reduction measures
• cause and motives of wildfire ignitions
• statistical analysis of wildfire incidents; economic, social and environmental impacts of wildfires; and vegetation fire observer and behaviour protocols and products by 2028

NAP risk: actions addressed (N5 peatlands)

(6.) The Home Office, supported by Defra, will scope out a Wildfire Strategy and Action Plan by mid-2024, reporting on the outcomes of the scoping exercise. Wildfire mitigation and risk management will be included in the heather and grass management code to be published in 2025.

How we will do it: adaptation of land management to wildfire risk programme

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N5 peatlands)

(6.) The Home Office, supported by Defra, will scope out a Wildfire Strategy and Action Plan by mid-2024, reporting on the outcomes of the scoping exercise. Wildfire mitigation and risk management will be included in the heather and grass management code to be published in 2025.

NAP risk addressed: N6 (agricultural productivity)

How we will do it: agroforestry inclusion in CS Higher Tier and support from Forestry Commission

NAP risk: actions addressed (N6 agricultural productivity)

(2.) Defra will pay for the establishment and maintenance of severable and silvopastoral agroforestry systems in 2024 to encourage and support increased agroforestry.

NAP risk addressed: N6 (forestry productivity)

How we will do it: Climate Matching Tool

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N6 forestry productivity)

(1.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will ensure new woodlands have current and future climate conditions considered in their design and species choice.
(2.) Defra will encourage landowners to incorporate climate-smart actions into woodland creation and management plans, making forestry productivity more resilient.
(5.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will support the implementation of Continuous Forestry Cover more widely to support forestry productivity, allow for greater species diversity and maintain forestry habitats.
(6.) Defra will use climate risk forecasts to develop post-England Trees Action Plan and post-Nature for Climate Fund policies from 2025, so that tree planting is spatially targeted to account for climate risk.

How we will do it: Forest Research Climate Change Hub

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N6 forestry productivity)

(1.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will ensure new woodlands have current and future climate conditions considered in their design and species choice.
(2.) Defra will encourage landowners to incorporate climate-smart actions into woodland creation and management plans, making forestry productivity more resilient.
(5.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will support the implementation of Continuous Forestry Cover more widely to support forestry productivity, allow for greater species diversity and maintain forestry habitats.
(6.) Defra will use climate risk forecasts to develop post-England Trees Action Plan and post-Nature for Climate Fund policies from 2025, so that tree planting is spatially targeted to account for climate risk.

How we will do it: UK Forestry Standard Adaptation Practice Guide

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N6 forestry productivity)

(1.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will ensure new woodlands have current and future climate conditions considered in their design and species choice. Grant applications for new woodland will be evaluated by 2028 to assess progress against this action.
(2.) Defra will encourage landowners to incorporate climate-smart actions into woodland creation and management plans, making forestry productivity more resilient. By 2028, there will be an increase in the uptake of woodland management.
(4.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will increase the number of woodlands within high-risk areas that have wildfire management plans within woodland management plans by 2030.
(5.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will support the implementation of Continuous Forestry Cover more widely to support forestry productivity, allow for greater species diversity and maintain forestry habitats.

How we will do it: Woodland Carbon Code

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N6 forestry productivity)

(1.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will ensure new woodlands have current and future climate conditions considered in their design and species choice.

How we will do it: England Woodland Creation Offer

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N6 forestry productivity)

(1.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will ensure new woodlands have current and future climate conditions considered in their design and species choice.
(2.) Defra will encourage landowners to incorporate climate-smart actions into woodland creation and management plans, making forestry productivity more resilient.

How we will do it: Nature for Climate Fund tree and woodland creation delivery mechanisms

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N6 forestry productivity)

(7.) Defra, in collaboration with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), Department for Business and Trade (DBT), Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), and Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) will publish Timber in Construction Roadmap in 2023. DLUHC will publish a consultation on Whole Life Carbon assessments in the construction sector in 2023. Defra will also complete a review of the government Timber Procurement Policy in 2023. This will create an environment for greater timber market activities under a changing climate.

How we will do it: Woodland Creation Planning Grant

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N6 forestry productivity)

(1.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will ensure new woodlands have current and future climate conditions considered in their design and species choice. Grant applications for new woodland will be evaluated by 2028 to assess progress against this action.
(6.) Defra will use climate risk forecasts to develop post-England Trees Action Plan and post-Nature for Climate Fund policies from 2025, so that tree planting is spatially targeted to account for climate risk.

How we will do it: Tree and Woodland Resilience Strategy

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N6 forestry productivity)

(1.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will ensure new woodlands have current and future climate conditions considered in their design and species choice. Grant applications for new woodland will be evaluated by 2028 to assess progress against this action.
(2.) Defra will encourage landowners to incorporate climate-smart actions into woodland creation and management plans, making forestry productivity more resilient. By 2028, there will be an increase in the uptake of woodland management support through grant schemes.
(5.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will support the implementation of Continuous Forestry Cover more widely to support forestry productivity, allow for greater species diversity and maintain forestry habitats. There will be an increase in Continuous Forestry Cover management by 2050, as evidenced by reduction in the proportion of clear-fell licences applied for.

How we will do it: Environmental Land Management schemes

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N6 forestry productivity)

(1.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will ensure new woodlands have current and future climate conditions considered in their design and species choice. Grant applications for new woodland will be evaluated by 2028 to assess progress against this action.
(2.) Defra will encourage landowners to incorporate climate-smart actions into woodland creation and management plans, making forestry productivity more resilient. By 2028, there will be an increase in the uptake of woodland management support through grant schemes.
(4.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will increase the number of woodlands within high-risk areas that have wildfire management plans within woodland management plans by 2030.
(5.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will support the implementation of Continuous Forestry Cover more widely to support forestry productivity, allow for greater species diversity and maintain forestry habitats.

How we will do it: targeted woodland creation grants

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N6 forestry productivity)

(6.) Defra will use climate risk forecasts to develop post-England Trees Action Plan and post-Nature for Climate Fund policies from 2025, so that tree planting is spatially targeted to account for climate risk.

How we will do it: Ips typographus surveillance and eradication programme

NAP risk: actions addressed (N6 forestry productivity)

No NAP3 actions specifically address this.

How we will do it: Environmental Impact Assessment regulatory process

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N6 forestry productivity)

(1.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will ensure new woodlands have current and future climate conditions considered in their design and species choice.

How we will do it: felling licence regulations

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N6 forestry productivity)

(2.) Defra will encourage landowners to incorporate climate-smart actions into woodland creation and management plans, making forestry productivity more resilient.
(5.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will support the implementation of Continuous Forestry Cover more widely to support forestry productivity, allow for greater species diversity and maintain forestry habitats.

How we will do it: Nature for Climate Fund Research and Development Strategy

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N6 forestry productivity)

(1.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will ensure new woodlands have current and future climate conditions considered in their design and species choice. Grant applications for new woodland will be evaluated by 2028 to assess progress against this action.
(2.) Defra will encourage landowners to incorporate climate-smart actions into woodland creation and management plans, making forestry productivity more resilient. By 2028, there will be an increase in the uptake of woodland management support through grant schemes.
(6.) Defra will use climate risk forecasts to develop post-England Trees Action Plan and post-Nature for Climate Fund policies from 2025, so that tree planting is spatially targeted to account for climate risk.

How we will do it: Forest Development Types decision support tool

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N6 forestry productivity)

(1.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will ensure new woodlands have current and future climate conditions considered in their design and species choice.
(2.) Defra will encourage landowners to incorporate climate-smart actions into woodland creation and management plans, making forestry productivity more resilient.
(5.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will support the implementation of Continuous Forestry Cover more widely to support forestry productivity, allow for greater species diversity and maintain forestry habitats.
(6.) Defra will use climate risk forecasts to develop post-England Trees Action Plan and post-Nature for Climate Fund policies from 2025, so that tree planting is spatially targeted to account for climate risk.

How we will do it: Ecological Site Classification decision support system

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N6 forestry productivity)

(1.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will ensure new woodlands have current and future climate conditions considered in their design and species choice.
(2.) Defra will encourage landowners to incorporate climate-smart actions into woodland creation and management plans, making forestry productivity more resilient.
(5.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will support the implementation of Continuous Forestry Cover more widely to support forestry productivity, allow for greater species diversity and maintain forestry habitats.
(6.) Defra will use climate risk forecasts to develop post-England Trees Action Plan and post-Nature for Climate Fund policies from 2025, so that tree planting is spatially targeted to account for climate risk.

How we will do it: England Trees Action Plan

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N6 forestry productivity)

(1.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will ensure new woodlands have current and future climate conditions considered in their design and species choice. Grant applications for new woodland will be evaluated by 2028 to assess progress against this action.
(2.) Defra will encourage landowners to incorporate climate-smart actions into woodland creation and management plans, making forestry productivity more resilient. By 2028, there will be an increase in the uptake of woodland management support through grant schemes.
(4.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will increase the number of woodlands within high-risk areas that have wildfire management plans within woodland management plans by 2030 to mitigate the risk of this increasing climatic hazard.
(5.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will support the implementation of Continuous Forestry Cover more widely to support forestry productivity, allow for greater species diversity and maintain forestry habitats. There will be an increase in Continuous Forestry Cover management by 2050, as evidenced by reduction in the proportion of clear-fell licences applied for.
(6.) Defra will use climate risk forecasts to develop post-England Trees Action Plan and post-Nature for Climate Fund policies from 2025, so that tree planting is spatially targeted to account for climate risk.
(7.) Defra, in collaboration with DESNZ, DBT, DLUHC, and DSIT will publish Timber in Construction Roadmap in 2023. DLUHC will publish a consultation on Whole Life Carbon assessments in the construction sector in 2023. Defra will also complete a review of the government Timber Procurement Policy in 2023. This will create an environment for greater timber market activities under a changing climate.

How we will do it: Timber in Construction Roadmap

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N6 forestry productivity)

(7.) Defra, in collaboration with DESNZ, DBT, DLUHC, and DSIT will publish Timber in Construction Roadmap in 2023. DLUHC will publish a consultation on Whole Life Carbon assessments in the construction sector in 2023. Defra will also complete a review of the government Timber Procurement Policy in 2023. This will create an environment for greater timber market activities under a changing climate.

How we will do it: ForestGALES

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N6 forestry productivity)

(1.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will ensure new woodlands have current and future climate conditions considered in their design and species choice.
(2.) Defra will encourage landowners to incorporate climate-smart actions into woodland creation and management plans, making forestry productivity more resilient.
(5.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will support the implementation of Continuous Forestry Cover more widely to support forestry productivity, allow for greater species diversity and maintain forestry habitats.
(6.) Defra will use climate risk forecasts to develop post-England Trees Action Plan and post-Nature for Climate Fund policies from 2025, so that tree planting is spatially targeted to account for climate risk.

How we will do it: adaptation of land management to wildfire risk programme

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N6 forestry productivity)

(1.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will ensure new woodlands have current and future climate conditions considered in their design and species choice. Grant applications for new woodland will be evaluated by 2028 to assess progress against this action.
(2.) Defra will encourage landowners to incorporate climate-smart actions into woodland creation and management plans, making forestry productivity more resilient. By 2028, there will be an increase in the uptake of woodland management support through grant schemes.
(3.) The Home Office, supported by Defra, will scope out a Wildfire Strategy and Action Plan by mid-2024, reporting on the outcomes of the scoping exercise. Defra will develop ‘adaptation of land management to wildfire risk’ guidance by 2026. Defra will work with public and private sector land managers to develop wildfire management plans for 20,000 hectares of habitat by 2025.This will be supported by research programmes beginning from 2023. This action will reduce the risk of wildfires impacting upon social, economic and environmental assets across the chapter themes of NAP3.
(4.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will increase the number of woodlands within high-risk areas that have wildfire management plans within woodland management plans by 2030 to mitigate the risk of this increasing climatic hazard.
(6.) Defra will use climate risk forecasts to develop post-England Trees Action Plan and post-Nature for Climate Fund policies from 2025, so that tree planting is spatially targeted to account for climate risk.

How we will do it: Wildfire risk research and development

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

Wildfire risk research and development, including:

• England wildfire risk map
• wildfire risk reduction measures
• cause and motives of wildfire ignitions
• statistical analysis of wildfire incidents; economic, social and environmental impacts of wildfires; and vegetation fire observer and behaviour protocols and products by 2028

NAP risk: actions addressed (N6 forestry productivity)

(3.) The Home Office, supported by Defra, will scope out a Wildfire Strategy and Action Plan by mid-2024, reporting on the outcomes of the scoping exercise. Defra will develop ‘adaptation of land management to wildfire risk’ guidance by 2026. Defra will work with public and private sector land managers to develop wildfire management plans for 20,000 hectares of habitat by 2025. This will be supported by research programmes beginning from 2023. This action will reduce the risk of wildfires impacting upon social, economic and environmental assets across the chapter themes of NAP3.
(4.) Defra and the Forestry Commission will increase the number of woodlands within high-risk areas that have wildfire management plans within woodland management plans by 2030 to mitigate the risk of this increasing climatic hazard.

NAP risk addressed: N8

How we will do it: Climate Matching Tool

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N8)

(5.) Defra will provide guidance on appropriate species choice for planting new woodland which considers the likely impacts of climate change, including a wider range of native species, by 2025. This will ensure the new woodland is resilient to climate change and stock has a wide genetic base.

How we will do it: database for seed stands and input to the UK Forest Genetic Resources group

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N8)

(5.) Defra will provide guidance on appropriate species choice for planting new woodland which considers the likely impacts of climate change, including a wider range of native species, by 2025. This will ensure the new woodland is resilient to climate change and stock has a wide genetic base.

How we will do it: England Woodland Creation Offer

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N8)

(3.) Defra will introduce a bio secure procurement requirement on all government funded tree planting by 2025 to improve the biosecurity of supply chains.

How we will do it: Grey Squirrel Action Plan

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N8)

(2.) Defra will publish management strategies for deer and grey squirrels in 2023, which will provide measures for reducing their impacts on forestry.

How we will do it: Tree and Woodland Resilience Strategy

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N8)

(4.) Defra will fund initiatives to increase the quality, quantity and diversity of domestically produced tree seed and planting stock. This will ensure genetically diverse seed of known provenance can be planted for resilience to climate change. From 2025, there will be increased domestic production of tree planting stock and increased numbers of registered seed stands and orchards.

How we will do it: Seed Sourcing Grant

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N8)

(4.) Defra will fund initiatives to increase the quality, quantity and diversity of domestically produced tree seed and planting stock. This will ensure genetically diverse seed of known provenance can be planted for resilience to climate change. From 2025, there will be increased domestic production of tree planting stock and increased numbers of registered seed stands and orchards.
(5.) Defra will provide guidance on appropriate species choice for planting new woodland which considers the likely impacts of climate change, including a wider range of native species, by 2025. This will ensure the new woodland is resilient to climate change and stock has a wide genetic base.

How we will do it: Tree Production Innovation Fund

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N8)

(4.) Defra will fund initiatives to increase the quality, quantity and diversity of domestically produced tree seed and planting stock. This will ensure genetically diverse seed of known provenance can be planted for resilience to climate change. From 2025, there will be increased domestic production of tree planting stock and increased numbers of registered seed stands and orchards.
(5.) Defra will provide guidance on appropriate species choice for planting new woodland which considers the likely impacts of climate change, including a wider range of native species, by 2025. This will ensure the new woodland is resilient to climate change and stock has a wide genetic base.

How we will do it: Environmental Land Management schemes

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N8)

(3.) Defra will introduce a bio secure procurement requirement on all government-funded tree planting by 2025 to improve the biosecurity of supply chains.

How we will do it: Ips typographus surveillance and eradication programme

NAP risk: actions addressed (N8)

No NAP3 actions specifically address this.

How we will do it: TreeAlert

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N8)

(8.) Defra will work with stakeholders to encourage pest and disease reporting and biosecure behaviour among growers, farmers, animal keepers, vets, importers and the public (2024 to 2028). To prepare for this action, biosecurity e-learning module will be launched for the public in 2023.

How we will do it: Environmental Impact Assessment regulatory process

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N8)

(1.) Defra will develop a framework to regulate the planting of ‘emerging forestry species’ from 2023, which will improve regulation in woodland creation and restocking proposals.

How we will do it: promoting appropriate use of alternative tree species

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N8)

(1.) Defra will develop a framework to regulate the planting of ‘emerging forestry species’ from 2023, which will improve regulation in woodland creation and restocking proposals.
(5.) Defra will provide guidance on appropriate species choice for planting new woodland which considers the likely impacts of climate change, including a wider range of native species, by 2025. This will ensure the new woodland is resilient to climate change and stock has a wide genetic base.

How we will do it: regulation of emerging forestry species

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N8)

(1.) Defra will develop a framework to regulate the planting of ‘emerging forestry species’ from 2023, which will improve regulation in woodland creation and restocking proposals.
(5.) Defra will provide guidance on appropriate species choice for planting new woodland which considers the likely impacts of climate change, including a wider range of native species, by 2025. This will ensure the new woodland is resilient to climate change and stock has a wide genetic base.

How we will do it: regulation of emerging forestry species

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N8)

(5.) Defra will continue to regulate, where appropriate, the keeping, breeding, transportation, selling, use or exchange, reproduction, growth, cultivation, or release of INNS that pose the most significant risk through to 2030. The list of species of special concern will be reviewed every 6 years.

How we will do it: England Trees Action Plan

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N8)

(3.) Defra will introduce a biosecure procurement requirement on all government funded tree planting by 2025 to improve the biosecurity of supply chains.
(4.) Defra will fund initiatives to increase the quality, quantity and diversity of domestically produced tree seed and planting stock. This will ensure genetically diverse seed of known provenance can be planted for resilience to climate change. From 2025, there will be increased domestic production of tree planting stock and increased numbers of registered seed stands and orchards.

How we will do it: National Deer Management Strategy

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N8)

(2.) Defra will publish management strategies for deer and grey squirrels in 2023, which will provide measures for reducing their impacts on forestry.

NAP risk addressed: N9

How we will do it: Tree and Woodland Resilience Strategy

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N9)

(2.) Defra will support research on the use of appropriate native and non-native tree species and alternative tree growing systems by 2028, which are better suited to England’s future climate. This action is subject to Defra’s development of a regulatory framework for the planting of ‘emerging forestry species’ from 2023 that will improve regulation in woodland creation and restocking proposals.
(3.) Defra will support research on the propagation of alternative species, support nurseries to develop the market for alternative species, develop appropriate licensing, guidance or regulations, and invest in changing capital and infrastructure. This work will be developed through the NAP3 implementation period and beyond, and 5-yearly reviews of Forest Research’s species categories will reflect improving knowledge.

How we will do it: Tree Production Innovation Fund

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N9)

(2.) Defra will support research on the use of appropriate native and non-native tree species and alternative tree growing systems by 2028, which are better suited to England’s future climate. This action is subject to Defra’s development of a regulatory framework for the planting of ‘emerging forestry species’ from 2023 that will improve regulation in woodland creation and restocking proposals.
(3.) Defra will support research on the propagation of alternative species, support nurseries to develop the market for alternative species, develop appropriate licensing, guidance or regulations, and invest in changing capital and infrastructure. This work will be developed through the NAP3 implementation period and beyond, and 5-yearly reviews of Forest Research’s species categories will reflect improving knowledge.

How we will do it: Woods into Management Forestry Innovation Funds

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N9)

(2.) Defra will support research on the use of appropriate native and non-native tree species and alternative tree growing systems by 2028, which are better suited to England’s future climate. This action is subject to Defra’s development of a regulatory framework for the planting of ‘emerging forestry species’ from 2023 that will improve regulation in woodland creation and restocking proposals.
(3.) Defra will support research on the propagation of alternative species, support nurseries to develop the market for alternative species, develop appropriate licensing, guidance or regulations, and invest in changing capital and infrastructure. This work will be developed through the NAP3 implementation period and beyond, and 5-yearly reviews of Forest Research’s species categories will reflect improving knowledge.

How we will do it: Environmental Impact Assessment regulatory process

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N9)

(2.) Defra will support research on the use of appropriate native and non-native tree species and alternative tree growing systems by 2028, which are better suited to England’s future climate. This action is subject to Defra’s development of a regulatory framework for the planting of ‘emerging forestry species’ from 2023 that will improve regulation in woodland creation and restocking proposals.

How we will do it: Nature for Climate Fund Research and Development Strategy

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N9)

(2.) Defra will support research on the use of appropriate native and non-native tree species and alternative tree growing systems by 2028, which are better suited to England’s future climate. This action is subject to Defra’s development of a regulatory framework for the planting of ‘emerging forestry species’ from 2023 that will improve regulation in woodland creation and restocking proposals.
(3.) Defra will support research on the propagation of alternative species, support nurseries to develop the market for alternative species, develop appropriate licensing, guidance or regulations, and invest in changing capital and infrastructure. This work will be developed through the NAP3 implementation period and beyond, and 5-yearly reviews of Forest Research’s species categories will reflect improving knowledge.

How we will do it: UK Research and Innovation treescape research programmes

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N9)

(2.) Defra will support research on the use of appropriate native and non-native tree species and alternative tree growing systems by 2028, which are better suited to England’s future climate. This action is subject to Defra’s development of a regulatory framework for the planting of ‘emerging forestry species’ from 2023 that will improve regulation in woodland creation and restocking proposals.
(3.) Defra will support research on the propagation of alternative species, support nurseries to develop the market for alternative species, develop appropriate licensing, guidance or regulations, and invest in changing capital and infrastructure. This work will be developed through the NAP3 implementation period and beyond, and 5-yearly reviews of Forest Research’s species categories will reflect improving knowledge.

How we will do it: Science and Innovation Strategy for Forestry in Great Britain

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N9)

(2.) Defra will support research on the use of appropriate native and non-native tree species and alternative tree growing systems by 2028, which are better suited to England’s future climate. This action is subject to Defra’s development of a regulatory framework for the planting of ‘emerging forestry species’ from 2023 that will improve regulation in woodland creation and restocking proposals.
(3.) Defra will support research on the propagation of alternative species, support nurseries to develop the market for alternative species, develop appropriate licensing, guidance or regulations, and invest in changing capital and infrastructure. This work will be developed through the NAP3 implementation period and beyond, and 5-yearly reviews of Forest Research’s species categories will reflect improving knowledge.

How we will do it: Forest Research and Forestry Commission species selection guides

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N9)

(2.) Defra will support research on the use of appropriate native and non-native tree species and alternative tree growing systems by 2028, which are better suited to England’s future climate. This action is subject to Defra’s development of a regulatory framework for the planting of ‘emerging forestry species’ from 2023 that will improve regulation in woodland creation and restocking proposals.
(3.) Defra will support research on the propagation of alternative species, support nurseries to develop the market for alternative species, develop appropriate licensing, guidance or regulations, and invest in changing capital and infrastructure. This work will be developed through the NAP3 implementation period and beyond, and 5-yearly reviews of Forest Research’s species categories will reflect improving knowledge.

How we will do it: Ecological Site Classification decision support system

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N9)

(2.) Defra will support research on the use of appropriate native and non-native tree species and alternative tree growing systems by 2028, which are better suited to England’s future climate. This action is subject to Defra’s development of a regulatory framework for the planting of ‘emerging forestry species’ from 2023 that will improve regulation in woodland creation and restocking proposals.
(3.) Defra will support research on the propagation of alternative species, support nurseries to develop the market for alternative species, develop appropriate licensing, guidance or regulations, and invest in changing capital and infrastructure. This work will be developed through the NAP3 implementation period and beyond, and 5-yearly reviews of Forest Research’s species categories will reflect improving knowledge.

How we will do it: regulation of emerging forestry species

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N9)

(2.) Defra will support research on the use of appropriate native and non-native tree species and alternative tree growing systems by 2028, which are better suited to England’s future climate. This action is subject to Defra’s development of a regulatory framework for the planting of ‘emerging forestry species’ from 2023 that will improve regulation in woodland creation and restocking proposals.

How we will do it: England Trees Action Plan

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N9)

(1.) Defra, in collaboration with DESNZ, DBT, DLUHC and DSIT, will publish Timber in Construction Roadmap in 2023. DLUHC will publish a consultation on Whole Life Carbon assessments in the construction sector in 2023. Defra will also complete a review of the government Timber Procurement Policy in 2023. This will create an environment for greater timber market activities under a changing climate.

How we will do it: Timber in Construction Roadmap

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N9)

(1.) Defra, in collaboration with DESNZ, DBT, DLUHC and DSIT, will publish Timber in Construction Roadmap in 2023. DLUHC will publish a consultation on Whole Life Carbon assessments in the construction sector in 2023. Defra will also complete a review of the government Timber Procurement Policy in 2023. This will create an environment for greater timber market activities under a changing climate.

NAP risk addressed: N18

How we will do it: Supporting Local Nature Recovery Strategies

(Forestry Commission actions and support).

NAP risk: actions addressed (N18)

(1.) Natural England will update its existing (2014) guidance on the Landscape Character Assessment approach by 2025, enabling future local-scale Landscape Character Assessments to embed an assessment of existing and potential climate change impacts and associated guidance into their assessments. Enhanced information on climate change impacts will be included in all National Character Area profiles by 2026. This will embed climate change adaptation measures locally and make them appropriate in the context of an area’s landscape character and distinctive qualities.
(2.) Natural England will complete a commission for evidence to further understand the impacts of climate change on landscape character by 2026.This will inform appropriate adaptation and mitigation responses, engaging with local communities and influencing positive land use or management changes to increase landscape resilience.
(4.) Defra will work with all National Park Authorities and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty to facilitate the production of Climate Change Adaptation Management Plans. The plans will be embedded in or linked with their management plans by 2028 and in all future plans to support adaptive management of protected landscapes in the face of a changing climate. This will include actions or objectives designed to adapt to climate change, integrating understanding of climate change risks, opportunities and responses into guidance, strengthening the protected landscapes’ special qualities and maximising wider public benefits.

Annex 3 - adaptation in the Science and Innovation Strategy (SIS)

A summary of Forest Research core research programmes related to climate change adaptation, including Work Areas (WA).

Programme 1 – Sustainable Forest Management in the light of environmental change

WA1: Environmental change impacts and susceptibility assessments

Bringing together work on forest susceptibility to environmental change impacts, the drivers of responses observed, and risk associated with environmental change and climate extremes.

WA2: Climate smart forestry

Generating evidence on greenhouse gas balances, soil carbon function and the environmental change mitigation benefits of different silvicultural systems, forest and peatland management. It will also provide socio-economic evidence supporting the understanding of mitigation/adaptation delivery and barriers to uptake in the forestry sector.

WA3: SFM (Sustainable Forest Management) and building resilience to environmental change

Delivering an improved understanding of forest management which accounts for resilience to environmental change, and which adheres to sustainable development principles (maintaining production, biodiversity, regenerative capacity, and ability to fulfil ecological, social, and economic functions without damage to other ecosystems).

Programme 2 – Markets for forest products and services

WA1: Availability of future markets

Improving the productivity and quality of the softwood and hardwood timber resource to widen future markets. Activities will include tree improvement through selection and breeding, together with the development of timber properties models, which will be used to assess the quality of future timber supplies and inform management decisions.

WA2: Barriers to use of domestic timber

Overcoming barriers to the use of domestic timber, while improving efficiency in the supply chain and building resilience. Activities will include improved methods for assessing quality, use of remote-sensing, and breeding for resistance to disease.

WA3: Market potential of emerging species

Characterising the properties of timber that will be produced from British forests as managers seek to increase diversity and improve resilience in response to climate change.

WA4: Short rotation forestry

Investigating short rotation forestry to improve the productivity of biomass. This activity will reduce the need for imports and contribute to CO2 capture.

WA5: Payments for ecosystem services

The aim of this work area is to investigate the development of payments for ecosystem service markets.

Programme 5 – Achieving multiple ecosystem benefits

WA1: Valuing and promoting the benefits from trees, woods and forests

Generating knowledge, data and analysis to evidence, understand and value the ecosystem services from trees, woods and forests. The work will provide an assessment of benefits and how these can be expressed and promoted to achieve multiple benefits.

WA2: Methods and tools to assess multiple benefits and trade-offs from trees, woods and forests

Developing methods and tools to assess multiple ecosystem service benefits from trees, woods and forests, and their synergies and trade-offs. This ongoing research will support the Woodland Creation and Expansion programme’s work on identifying optimal areas for woodland creation and Societal benefits programme on valuing tree/forest-based solutions for improved health and well-being.

WA3: Management choices to achieve multiple benefits from trees, woods and forests over time and space

Developing and using methods and tools to demonstrate and promote how management choices affect the delivery of multiple benefits from trees, woods and forests over time and space.

Programme 7 – Tree health and biosecurity

WA1: Diagnostic, advisory and phytosanitary provision

Operating and evolving Forest Research’s Tree Health Diagnostic and Advisory Service, providing an early warning system, detecting new biotic threats and prompting reactive research. Reporting will be promoted via the web-based tool TreeAlert, and citizen science surveillance through Observatree. It integrates with phytosanitary work to evaluate risks from new and existing regulated pests and pathogens through horizon scanning and surveillance, thereby informing the responses of Plant Health teams, policymakers, and practitioners.

WA2: Understanding pest and pathogen threats

Focusing on understanding new and changing pest and pathogen threats including invasive beetles (such as of Ips typographus) and pathogens with changing profiles or altered behaviour (including Dothistroma and Phytophthora) to determine the vulnerability of UK forest types to their establishment and to identify proactive management actions. There will also be a focus on host species, as part of an integrated approach to understand the susceptibility of new and emerging tree species to pests and diseases.

WA3: Improved detection, monitoring and surveillance

Develop existing and new methods for monitoring and surveillance of key pests and pathogens, based on a greater understanding of their ecology, dispersal capability, host preferences, epidemiology and genetics. Approaches include use of improved trapping methodologies, development of DNA based diagnostic tools and metabarcoding, and exploration of the use of remote sensing.

WA4: Pest and disease management for resilient treescapes

Informing forest management to increase resilience to pests and diseases. Work includes refining established management methods such as spatial modelling, chemical treatments and non-chemical or bio-control treatments. Novel methods will also be developed for control, improved prediction of pest spread, and use of viruses to control fungal pathogens. The WP also includes ongoing support and advice for control of mammal pests, particularly grey squirrels.

WA5: Interdisciplinary approaches to enhance biosecurity

Adopting an interdisciplinary approach on topics relevant to woodland expansion. It will harness natural resistance in tree populations, particularly oak, larch and juniper and explore the social dimensions of tree health including evaluation of biosecurity messaging on public behaviours and improving our understanding of the biosecurity practices of hard-to-reach stakeholder along plant pathways.

Annex 4 - indicators relevant to adaptation and resilience

The indicators detailed below provide either a baseline to monitor progress against or a time series giving an indication of woodland resilience or public/sector attitudes to resilience. 

New planting of woodland and trees in England (Forest Services Key Performance Indicator) 

There was a total of 4,547ha of recorded new planting of woodland in England in 2023 to 2024, including that with and without central government support. 

Percentage of woodland that is sustainably managed (Forest Services Key Performance Indicator) 

As of 31 March 2024, 57% of all woodland in England was sustainably managed, totalling 760,000ha of woodland in management. This is a slight decrease since the 31 March 2021 figure of 59%.  

Number of additional tree pests and diseases becoming established in England within a rolling 10-year period (Forest Services Key Performance Indicator) 

The number of additional tree pests and diseases becoming established in England within a rolling 10-year period fell from a peak of 7 in the 10-year period 2000 to 2009 to a low of 3 in 2007 to 2016. Three tree pests and diseases became ‘established’ in England in the most recent 10-year period 2013 to 22. 

Number of high priority forest pests in the UK Plant Health Risk Register

In 2016, a new headline plant health indicator was added to Forestry Commission’s Corporate Performance Indicators. The indicator reports trends in forest pests from the UK Plant Health Risk Register that records and rates risks to UK crops, trees, gardens and ecosystems from plant pests and pathogens. 

As of March 2024, there are now 408 pests identified as forest pests on the UK Plant Health Risk Register. 15 (4%) of these have been assessed and are considered high priority. Of these 15 pests and diseases, 8 are currently present in England, with 3 being classed as widespread. These are Hymenoscyphus fraxineus which causes ash dieback, Phytophthora alni which affects all alder species in Great Britain, and Pseudomonas syringae pv. aesculi, that causes horse chestnut bleeding canker. 

Carbon sequestered by England’s woodlands (Forest Services Key Performance Indicator) 

The net greenhouse gas sink strength of England’s woodlands has decreased slightly from 8.505 MtCO2e in 2021 to 8.403 MtCO2e in 2022 (based on the updated time-series) but remains broadly stable. If government-funded woodland creation was to cease at the end of the current spending review period, the sink is projected to decline to 5 MtCO2e in the 2030s as a result of productive forests planted in the second half of the 20th century being harvested. The strength of the sink rises again after 2040 because of the subsequent regrowth of forests that were harvested. 

Wildfire indicator on the nation’s forests and other public and private woodlands 

This indicator reports the impact (area burnt, number of incidents and duration) of wildfire within forests and woodlands. It uses Department of Communities and local government supplied incident reporting system data provided by England’s fire and rescue services and the National Forest Inventory. We published our report in February 2023. Fire and rescue services attended over 360,000 wildfire incidents in England over the 12 years from 2009-10 to 2020-21 inclusive: an average of over 30,000 incidents per annum. In total, just over 79,000ha of land was burnt, an average of over 6,600 hectares per annum. The total duration of the incidents was just under 540,000 hours, an average of just under 45,000 hours per annum.

Area of woodland created in areas targeted for flood risk management  

This indicator reports the area of woodland created in areas that have been mapped as potentially benefitting from increased tree cover to contribute to flood risk management. The indicator therefore reports the contribution of woodland creation to societal resilience, rather than the resilience of the woodland or the forestry sector. The dataset is restricted to woodland creation funded through the Countryside Stewardship grant scheme (Rural Development Programme) or its predecessor, the English Woodland Grant Scheme (from 2012, when spatial targeting for flood risk management was introduced). Since ARP2 was published, this is no longer an indicator used to measure adaptation within our key performance indicators.

Diversity of tree species planted within the nation’s forests 

This indicator was first published in the Adaptation sub-Committee’s 2013 progress report (Managing land in a changing climate). A time series has been constructed which shows conifer and broadleaf restock planting between 2014 and 2024, demonstrating diverse planting on the nation’s forests. The percentage of each species planted on restocks between 2014 and 2024 is shown in the table below. Note that 2019 is removed due to incomplete data. This table only includes restock sites, not new woodland creation sites.

Tree Species	Group	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024
Sitka spruce	Conifer	33.0	25.7	39.0	30.0	40.3	37.1	36.9	38.4	26.4	23.7
Scots pine	Conifer	14.1	16.4	15.3	17.0	15.5	9.0	13.6	11.1	13.6	13.2
Douglas-fir	Conifer	11.9	13.5	7.8	9.9	11.8	8.6	10.7	8.4	10.9	12.1
Norway spruce	Conifer	9.5	5.1	5.4	8.8	4.2	6.1	3.1	6.3	4.9	7.8
Western red cedar	Conifer	1.6	2.7	1.0	3.2	4.1	1.9	2.6	3.8	4.7	4.9
Hybrid Larch	Conifer	2.7	0.6	1.0	0.7	0.3	0.1	0.3	1.9	1.8	2.9
Lodgepole pine	Conifer	0.5	3.2	1.1	1.1	0.3	1.0	0.0	3.3	3.3	2.7
Birch (downy/silver)	Broadleaf	0.4	3.0	0.3	1.4	0.3	1.7	2.2	1.4	0.4	2.6
Sweet chestnut	Broadleaf	1.2	1.1	1.5	1.5	0.9	2.2	1.6	0.9	1.3	2.1
Downy birch	Broadleaf	0.7	0.1	0.3	0.6	1.4	1.6	1.0	0.7	2.7	1.7
Japanese cedar	Conifer	0.6	0.7	0.2	0.5	0.7	2.5	1.1	1.0	1.0	1.7
Coast redwood	Conifer	0.4	0.2	0.6	1.5	1.0	0.8	0.6	0.8	1.6	1.5
Western hemlock	Conifer	0.6	0.7	1.8	1.7	1.8	2.1	2.3	1.0	1.2	1.5
Rowan	Broadleaf	0.5	0.1	0.2	0.7	0.3	1.2	1.0	0.7	1.6	1.5
Aspen	Broadleaf	0.1	0.1	0.2	0.5	0.3	0.5	0.4	0.6	1.7	1.4
Grand fir	Conifer	0.2	0.8	0.5	1.3	1.1	0.3	1.3	0.5	1.2	1.2
Sessile oak	Broadleaf	3.4	0.5	1.4	3.2	1.4	0.4	1.5	1.3	4.8	1.1
Serbian spruce	Conifer	1.9	2.6	3.1	2.0	0.8	1.1	2.3	1.3	1.1	1.1
Wellingtonia	Conifer	0.1	0.3	0.6	0.5	0.2	0.1	0.5	0.8	1.0	1.1
Common alder	Broadleaf	0.1	1.1	0.1	0.0	0.5	1.0	0.8	0.7	2.4	1.0
Monterey pine	Conifer	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	1.0
Oak (robur/petraea)	Broadleaf	0.8	3.0	2.5	0.3	0.3	1.1	0.9	1.0	0.6	0.9
European silver fir	Conifer	0.2	0.5	0.8	0.6	0.7	1.2	1.1	0.9	0.2	0.8
Macedonian pine	Conifer	0.5	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.6	2.6	0.1	0.4	0.5	0.8
Pedunculate/common oak	Broadleaf	2.2	0.3	0.9	0.8	0.8	0.3	2.1	1.1	0.7	0.8
Maritime pine	Conifer	0.7	1.0	0.7	0.2	0.3	0.6	1.1	0.6	1.3	0.8
Silver birch	Broadleaf	0.8	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.2	0.2	0.9	1.4	0.9	0.6
Nordmann fir	Conifer	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.1	0.0	0.0	0.1	0.8	0.5	0.0
Mixed broadleaves	Broadleaf	4.5	5.7	6.0	3.8	5.5	3.3	2.8	3.7	0.4	0.4
Mixed conifers	Conifer	0.4	1.3	1.4	1.2	0.2	2.6	0.0	0.0	0.4	0.0
Other		6.5	9.1	5.6	5.9	4.1	9.0	6.9	5.2	6.6	6.9

Annex 5 – summary of actions from the ARP3 outline adaptation plan

Details of these actions are alluded to in the main document in relation to NAP3 risks.

Further or new action 1: Launch the Centre for Forest Protection

Issue addressed by the action: pests and disease outbreaks and climate change England Trees Action Plan (ETAP) Action 3.1.

Timescales for actions: winter 2021/ spring 2022

Progress: opened Oct 2022

Further or new action 2: develop a Woodland Resilience Implementation Plan (WRIP) to improve the ecological condition of our woodlands and increase their resilience to climate change, pests and diseases

Issue addressed by the action: pests and disease outbreaks and climate change England Trees Action Plan (ETAP) Action 3.3

Timescales for actions: autumn/winter 2022/23

Progress: superseded by the Tree Health Resilience Strategy

Further or new action 3: Improve tree health grants and restocking support in response to pest or disease incidences

Risk addressed: loss of tree cover and lack of resilience. England Trees Action Plan (ETAP) Action 3.6

Timescales for actions: pilot launched summer 2021, full rollout autumn/ winter 2024

Progress: tree health pilot has been instigated and now extends to cover ash dieback, Phytothphora, Ips typographus. Coverage throughout the whole country could be improved.

Further or new action 4: publish a new GB Plant Biosecurity Strategy

Issue addressed: lack of common approach to plant health. England Trees Action Plan (ETAP) Action 3.23.

Timescales for actions: 2022.

Progress: published Jan 2023.

Further or new action 5: provide dedicated financial support, guidance and pilot new approaches to deliver riparian planting through the new England Woodland Creation Offer.

Issue addressed: flooding. England Trees Action Plan (ETAP) Action 1.17 and Action 1.18.

Timescales for actions: ongoing.

Progress: ongoing. Forestry Commission actions included in the Integrated Plan for Water. New targeting maps developed in partnership with the Environment Agency.

Further or new action 6: Forest Research will publish a UKFS Riparian Woodland Practice Guide.

Issue addressed: lack of guidance on riparian woodland creation and management to maintain the thermal regime of freshwater habitats. 2014 SIS action.

Timescales for actions: spring/summer 2022.

Progress: UKFS Practice Guides Designing and managing forests and woodlands to reduce flood risk and Creating and managing riparian woodland were published in 2022 and 2024 respectively.

Further or new action 7: support the Forestry Climate Change Partnership.

Issue addressed: lack of clear guidance and adaptation implementation. England Trees Action Plan Action 3.10.

Timescales for actions: ongoing.

Progress: still supporting the group although the remit of the group is widening and currently in a phase of relative inactivity.

Further or new action 8: continue actions as agreed under the Climate Change Position Statement 2019 and Future Forests programme.

Issue addressed: corporate response to climate emergency. Continuation of new action from ARP2 programme.

Timescales for actions: ongoing.

Progress: high level, ongoing, actions.

Further or new action 9: Forestry Commission will publish a new UKFS practice guide on adapting forest and woodland management for the changing climate.

Issue addressed: lack of clear guidance on appropriate adaptation. England Trees Action Plan Action 3.10.

Timescales for actions: winter 2021/22.

Progress: published in 2022.

Further or new action 10: Forest Services will ensure that climate change impacts and adaptation remains at the heart of the Science and Innovation Strategy for Forestry in Great Britain.

Issue addressed: addressing evidence gaps and supporting development of adaptation best practice. Ongoing action from ARP2 programme.

Timescales for actions: 2026.

Progress: ongoing. New SIS will come into play in 2026.

Further or new action 11: Delivering nationally accredited training on wildfire resilience.

Issue addressed: Wildfire. New action from ARP2 programme.

Timescales for actions: 2022-23.

Progress: ongoing delivery. Over 1,200 modules delivered.

Further or new action 12: Forest Services will work in partnership to create a Wildfire Risk Map

Issue addressed: Wildfire. Ongoing action from ARP2 programme and 2017 NAP.

Timescales for actions: 2024.

Progress: Awaiting funding to develop and publish.

Further or new action 13: Develop a national deer management strategy

Issue addressed: increase in distribution and numbers of deer. England Trees Action Plan Action 3.4.

Timescales for actions: spring 2022.

Progress: completed in 2023 but awaiting ministerial sign off.

Further or new action 14: Update the Grey Squirrel Action Plan

Issue addressed: Continued threat from grey squirrels. England Trees Action Plan Action 3.5.

Timescales for actions: spring 2022.

Progress: completed in 2023 but awaiting ministerial sign off.

Further or new action 15: develop new guidance for England that will help determine when afforested peat should be restored to bog and the costs associated with that.

Issue addressed: peatland protection and resilience. England Trees Action Plan Actions 1.23, 1.24 and 1.25.

Timescales for actions: action 1.23 and 1.24: spring 2022. Action 1.25: by summer 2024.

Progress: the UKFS trees and peat guidance for England was republished 2023. The forest to bog restoration metric is in an advanced stage of user testing. The tool is also being used to inform the development of Local Nature Recovery Strategies.

Further or new action 16: 114 to support Defra in providing funding to support UK public and private sector nurseries and seed suppliers.

Issue addressed: lack of planting stock. England Trees Action Plan Action 1.29 (Package of support for nurseries including capital grants and Tree Production Innovation Fund launched June 2021).

Timescales for actions: spring 2022.

Progress: Tree Production Innovation Fund, Tree Production Capital Grant and Seed Sourcing Grant provide this support currently.

Further or new action 17: maintain our membership of the European Forest Genetic Resources Programme

Issue addressed: lack of genetic diversity in trees and woodlands. England Trees Action Plan Action 3.11.

Timescales for actions: ongoing.

Progress: membership still maintained and Phase 7 due to start in 2025.

Further or new action 18: support and promote UK plant healthy scheme encouraging more growers to become members

Issue addressed: biosecurity. England Trees Action Plan Action 3.20.

Timescales for actions: ongoing.

Progress: ongoing.

Further or new action 19: Continue to support research to ensure our forests and treescapes are resilient to current and future threats, including investigating climate adaptation and pests and diseases.

Issue addressed: evidence gaps. England Trees Action Plan Action 5.6.

Timescales for actions: 2021-2026

Progress: ongoing.

Further or new action 20: Forestry England to develop a Forest Resilience Strategy

Issue addressed: enhancing resilience. New ARP3 action from Future Forests programme.

Timescales for actions: December 2022

Progress: ongoing.

Further or new action 21: Forestry England: Creation of a forest resilience indicator

Issue addressed: lack of resilience indicator. New ARP3 action from Future Forests programme.

Timescales for actions: December 2022

Progress: ongoing.

Further or new action 22: update the woodland management and creation plan templates

Issue addressed: need to embed adaptation planning as business-as-usual activity. Ongoing action from ARP2 adaptation programme.

Timescales for actions: December 2022

Progress: a guide for the planning of new planting in woodland in England has been revised to better reflect adaptation and resilience requirements (publication awaited).

Further or new action 23: advise Defra on how future Environmental Land Management grant support could be effective in implementing the guidance given in ‘managing England’s woodlands in a climate emergency’ and the supporting evidence alongside other woodland creation/management objectives

Issue addressed: need to embed adaptation as business-as-usual activity. New ARP3 action from Future Forests programme.

Timescales for actions: ongoing.

Progress: new Countryside Stewardship High Tier – Resilience Supplement being prepared for launch.

Further or new action 24: evaluate the effectiveness of the UKFS Climate Change Guidelines at the next review point (2022)

Issue addressed: adaptation requirement strengthened in UKFS, underpinning forestry grants, regulations and best practice. Ongoing action from ARP2 adaptation programme.

Timescales for actions: 2023.

Progress: reviewed and changes incorporated in version 5 of the UKFS.

Further or new action 25: Promote and embed adaptation measures in woodland (and other habitats) created through the Shared Outcomes Fund project ‘Nature-based solutions at landscape scale’

Issue addressed: opportunity to integrate adaptation measures across landscapes and habitats. New ARP3 action.

Timescales for actions: 2022-2024.

Progress: ongoing, with funding extended to end March 2025.

Further or new action 26: introduce a condition for all tree and hedgerow planting grants that tree and plant suppliers should be able to demonstrate that they can meet the requirements set out in the published Plant Health Management Standard

Issue addressed: biosecurity. England Trees Action Plan Action 3.21.

Timescales for actions: to be confirmed.

Progress: implemented through the Biosecure Procurement Requirement pilot.

Further or new action 27: introduce procurement criteria for government contracts that tree and plant suppliers should be able to demonstrate that they can meet the requirements set of the Plant Health Management Standard

Issue addressed: biosecurity. England Trees Action Plan Action 3.22.

Timescales for actions: 2023.

Progress: Biosecure procurement requirement pilot established.

Annex 6 - best practice case study: Forestry England’s Resilience Approach

Forestry England’s Resilience Approach is led by a national steering group providing oversight and strategic direction. Forestry England defines forest resilience as:

the resilience of our natural capital (i.e. the forest ecosystem) against threats and risks that compromise its ecological integrity and ability to deliver societal benefits.

Forestry England are currently refining a detailed national strategy, which sets out their approach (forest resilience principles) and an action plan with specific targets for local and national scales. It will incorporate a strategic risk register that outlines threats to and consequences for the nation’s forests, and mitigating actions that Forestry England need to take. 

‘Growing the Future: 2021-26’ plan includes actions for areas which include their sustainable approach and the climate. The organisation has committed to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. The plan sets out 3 targets in this area: 

• more than 2,000ha of new, high quality, predominantly broadleaf woodlands planted, delivered through partnerships strengthening connections and landscape-scale climate resilience
• greater structural and tree species diversity in the nation’s forests to support adaptation to climate change and securing a sustainable timber supply for future generations
• continued investment in research to support diverse and resilient forests, leading the way in mitigating and adapting to the impacts of climate change

Forestry England led a horizon scan to identify emerging challenges and opportunities that might affect UK forestry within 50 years. We gathered a panel of 47 experts with diverse specialisms and perspectives and followed a tried-and-tested research framework to assimilate and prioritise 180 issues to a final shortlist of 15 topics. These are issues that are currently relatively unknown by the sector but have potential for significant impact in the coming decades. The results have been made publicly available and widely promoted, including with an ongoing webinar series organised by the Institute of Chartered Foresters and the Forestry Commission. Forestry England will incorporate our response to the horizon scan into future iterations of their corporate strategy. 

Increasing species diversity

Increasing the tree species, structural, functional, and genetic diversity of the nation’s forests is a core focus of Forestry England’s Forest Resilience Approach.

1. Forestry England’s bespoke indicators for tree species diversity and functional diversity assimilate information at local, landscape and national scales, and identify where and how diversity can be improved through management interventions.
2. Forestry England have also been increasing Forest Development Types use through training and integration within forest design plans to transition to more complex silvicultural systems and structurally diverse forests.
3. Plant and Seed Supply Unit investment and modernisation of the glasshouse and plant processing technology, alongside plans for a new seed extractor unit, are delivering technical and capacity developments.
4. Forestry England are increasing the number of plants and diversity of species produced, limiting import of pests.
5. Their ‘Species for the Future’ project followed a robust evidence-based process to prioritise 30 tree species for future investment across the nation’s forests.
6. Forestry England has also been awarded ‘Plant Healthy’ certification which recognises the highest plant health and biosecurity standards.

Forestry England continue to directly fund research on forest resilience through a bespoke service level agreement (SLA) with Forest Research. Over the past 3 years, Forestry England have commissioned and funded projects to the value of £436,000 and continue to prioritise a significant annual budget for the forest resilience SLA. Projects so far have been diverse, including work on emerging tree species, environmental DNA, developing a drought resilience index, and economic assessments of resilience risk. 

Knowledge and capacity building

Forestry England continues to collaborate with other organisations as much as possible. They are directly contributing actions to Defra’s new Trees and Woodland Resilience Strategy. They also continue to be a dedicated member of the Forestry Climate Change Partnership and a signatory of the updated 2022 Forestry and Climate Change Adaptation Accord.