Decision details

Purpose of Report: To present the proposal for a 2050 tree canopy cover target for York, providing carbon sequestration and contributing to the next zero ambition for the City.

The Executive Member is asked to approve a 13% target for tree canopy cover in York by 2050 and acknowledge that this target will form part of a wider ambition for the White Rose Forest across the region.

It has not been possible to give 28 days’ notice of the intention to make this decision to ensure the White Rose Forest can be duly notified of the tree canopy cover targets to feed into its programme,  this has to be agreed in May.

Resolved:

(i)           That a 13% target for tree canopy cover in York by 2050 be approved.

Reason: Increasing the tree canopy cover to 13% from the current level of 10.76% will produce carbon sequestration, biodiversity and health benefits. A target of 13% is achievable when balanced against the capacity for tree planting within the unique landscape and setting of York.

(ii)         That it is acknowledged that this target will form part of a wider ambition for the White Rose Forest across the region.

Reason: The regional ambition will be published in a report by WRF on 1 August 2021.