Friday 15 January 2021

Southwark Council backs net zero target with pledge to plant 10,000 new trees by 2022

Southwark Council has launched a new tree planting programme that will see 10,000 new trees planted across the borough by 2022.

The scheme, which is part of the local authority's commitment to reach net zero by 2030, is predicted to increase the total number of Southwark's trees by 13%.

The £5 million programme will run for up to ten years to ensure that the new trees are planted, cared for and replaced as necessary.

The council has already surveyed its streets, parks, woodlands and 34 sites of importance to nature conservation to identify locations that would benefit from tree planting.

Councillor Johnson Situ, Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency, Planning and Transport and Councillor Catherine Rose, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Environment and Roads, said: “Our exciting new tree planting programme will touch every corner of the borough, helping to tackle air pollution, reduce carbon, and address the climate emergency.

“We hope to bring people together from all over Southwark, to share in deciding where these 10,000 new trees will go and to help them to flourish and grow. Our aim is to create beautiful neighbourhoods and environments for both the boroughs’ people and our wildlife, for many years to come.”