Why The CCF?
The Clyde Climate Forest will see 18 million trees planted in both urban and rural parts of Glasgow City Region over the next decade.
Trees, woodlands and forests are recognised as essential if we are to address the Climate Crisis by reducing damaging atmospheric emissions and are crucial to assist in a recovery for nature.
The Clyde Climate Forest builds on the current enthusiasm for tree planting and will channel that interest into worthwhile and well-considered tree planting projects that deliver a broad range of climate and ecological benefits to Glasgow City Region.
The project was born out of the Green Network Blueprint and will deliver part of the GCV Green Network’s Strategic Habitat Network, to learn more see our animation.
Canopy
Urban trees provide cooling in heatwaves and surface water management for cloud-bursts, whilst also providing some carbon storage and wildlife habitat. The area of tree leaf cover (canopy cover) is a useful way to measure the benefits of urban trees in urban areas. Even modest increases in canopy cover can aid adaptation to the adverse effects of climate change.
Across the urban areas of Glasgow City Region the average tree canopy cover is currently 17%. By 2032 the Clyde Climate Forest aims to increase the average tree canopy cover of urban Glasgow to 20% - which is the lowest recommended level for UK towns and cities in the face of a changing climate. Up to 1.5 million urban trees will have to be planted to achieve our canopy cover aims.
The Clyde Climate Forest will focus activity on new urban tree planting in neighbourhoods with low levels of canopy cover, particularly in areas of deprivation and risk from the impacts of climate change.
Connectivity
Broadleaved woodlands provide essential ecosystem services and wildlife habitat. Creating connected woodland networks will help to reverse the habitat fragmentation caused by decades of urban and transport infrastructure development and agricultural intensification. It will also help to protect biodiversity and offer a migratory routes as the climate changes.
Across Glasgow City Region the average broadleaved woodland network area is 119 hectares. By 2032 the Clyde Climate Forest aims to increase the average broadleaved woodland network area to 142 hectares.
The Clyde Climate Forest will focus engagement with landowners on 200 target locations where new broadleaved woodland creation will make significant woodland habitat network connections and provide a northerly migration route for woodland wildlife as the climate changes.
Carbon
New forests are effective carbon sinks and can provide: natural flood management; construction timber to substitute for high emission steel and concrete; and wildlife habitats.
The current extent of land covered in forests or woodland in Glasgow City Region is 17%. By 2032 the Clyde Climate Forest aims to increase forest and woodland cover by 3% (9,000 hectares - approximately 18 million trees) and thereby be in-line with the woodland expansion target in Scottish Government's Climate Change Plan. Depending on the types of trees planted these new forests and woodlands could lock up 1.5 million tonnes of CO2 by 2045 - Scotland's target year for Net Zero.
The Clyde Climate Forest will engage with landowners across the region to encourage tree planting in "preferred" and "potential" areas for woodland creation identified in the regional Forest and Woodland strategy.
Where Will the CCF Be?
Spanning Glasgow City Region from Greenock to Lanark, the Clyde Climate Forest covers the eight regional local authorities of East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, Glasgow, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire.
It has been endorsed by the Council Leaders of all eight authorities and will connect and enhance the woodland network across local authority boundaries benefiting people, wildlife and climate.
Get Involved
For Communities
Learn how to get involved with a local tree planting project.
For Business
Learn more about the opportunities for your business and how supporting the CCF can complement your climate change strategy.
For Landowners
Learn more about the multiple benefits of planting trees on your land from carbon credits to providing shelter.
Partners
Clyde Climate Forest brings together a range of partners who together, aim to transform the environment of Glasgow City Region for the benefit of people and wildlife. Our partners bring valuable resources to the CCF project and without them the CCF would not be able to achieve it's aims.
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The CCF Team
The Clyde Climate Forest has a dedicated team who are working with stakeholders and delivery partners to achieve the CCF's ambitions. The team is comprised of a Director, a Development Manager, an Operations Coordinator, an Urban Tree Canopy Coordinator and a Communications Officer.
The team is drawn from TCV, the Green Action Trust and Trees for Cities and these posts are supported with funding from the Woodland Trust, Scottish Forestry, Trees for Cities and the Green Action Trust.
Get involved
Are you an community, business or landowner who wants to get involved?
Contact Us
If you have an enquiry about our project, contact us.