The Multiple Roles of Scottish Woodlands

In September 2020, The Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) published a briefing by Dr Annie Yang entitled ‘The Multiple Roles of Scottish Woodlands'. This research briefing identifies the multiple roles of Scotland's forests, including their role in reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, and addressing ongoing biodiversity declines. Insights from interviews with key experts are also provided. The briefing provides an overview of policy related to forests, and policy changes in Scotland.

The research briefing was produced by Dr Annie Yang as part of the Scottish Parliament Academic Fellowship Scheme, a programme for academic engagement that aims to strengthen links with Scotland's universities and SPICe. The assignment, co-funded by CSFL and SPICe, represents an ongoing collaboration between the two centers.

As a follow-up to the research briefing, SPICe published a blog by Dr Yang titled 'Climate change plan update and Scottish woodland creation: getting the balance right'  in March 2021. The blog reflects on the Scotland’s Climate Change Plan Update (CCPu), which was published in December 2020, and its ability to address multiple objectives, as set out in the Scotland’s Forestry Strategy 2019-2029. The CCPU updates 2018’s Climate Change Plan to factor in revised and more ambitious targets to end Scotland’s contribution to climate change by 2045.