The commitment is part of the plan for the borough to reach net zero by 2042

Barnet Council has committed to planting 5,000 trees in the borough by 2028

The Environment and Climate Change Committee voted recently to approve the Tree Planting policy first introduced in 2017 and committed to an ambitious plan to become one of London’s most sustainable boroughs becoming a net zero by 2042.

The 2017 policy had set responsibilities for tree management in Barnet, alongside tree planting targets to be delivered by 2023. The new policy builds on the progress made under the existing policy and is based on research, evidence, stakeholder engagement, and consideration of national and regional policy.

Councillor Alan Schneiderman, Chair of Barnet Council’s Climate and Change Committee, said, “The council’s new Tree Planting Policy is an essential step towards achieving our goal of becoming one of London’s most sustainable boroughs and includes a focus on areas of poor air quality.

“We recognise the need to work together to respond to the challenges of the climate and biodiversity emergency, to improve the health and wellbeing of our residents, and caring for the future of our planet.

He added, “It also aligns with the council’s commitment to becoming a net zero council by 2030 and borough by no later than 2042, as part of its BarNET ZERO campaign.”

The Tree Planting Policy has six key aims and objectives, including continuing support of the council’s commitment to climate change initiatives and the delivery of the Sustainability Strategy targets, increasing street tree canopy cover to improve ecosystem services, guaranteeing the replacement of every street tree that is removed, supporting and enhancing opportunities for community engagement, preservation of existing mature and maturing trees, and utilising new and improved methods of tree planting and aftercare.

To read the new Tree Planting Policy and for the ways to engage visit: https://engage.barnet.gov.uk/net-zero

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