Carbon Woodland Creation in Mid and East Antrim Borough
Wednesday 5 April 2023
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council are currently planting the Borough’s first Carbon Code Woodland at Carnfunnock Country Park in Larne, demonstrating Council’s awareness and commitment to becoming carbon zero.
The Woodland Carbon Code is an independently verified scheme, which provides assurances about the carbon saving of the woodlands within it.
Woodland within the Carbon Code scheme:
- are responsibly and sustainably managed to national standards;
- can provide reliable estimates of the amount of carbon that will be sequestered or locked up as a result of the tree planting;
- must be publicly registered and independently verified;
- meet transparent criteria and standards to ensure that real carbon benefits are delivered.
Additionally, this new native woodland will provide excellent habitat for wildlife in the area, including the recently re-introduced red squirrel – especially important as the first wild-born red squirrel kittens at Carnfunnock appeared in spring 2021.
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Noel Williams said ‘Council has committed to reducing carbon going into the atmosphere through a number of different approaches, and tree planting is one of the most important. This new Carbon Code Woodland will offset 5,200 tonnes of carbon per year, provide a fabulous habitat for biodiversity and create quality green spaces for both local people and visitors to enjoy.”
This project has been funded by The Woodland Trust, who secured 100% grant funding for the planting and first 5 years of management costs.
Council’s Climate Canopy project funded by the Woodland Trust will help to enhance woodland to help tackle both the nature and climate crises through the planting of half a million trees within the first two years – the right tree, in the right place, with the right management.
Jo Boylan, Outreach Officer for Woodland Trust Northern Ireland said: “The Woodland Trust is delighted to partner with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to create a new native 14ha woodland as part of the Climate Canopy Project. Northern Ireland is the least wooded area in Europe with just under 9% tree cover and we need to work with landowners to increase tree cover for people, nature and climate.”
For further information or if you would like to plant some trees on your land please contact Susan Lynn, Tree and Woodland Officer at Susan.Lynn@midandeastantrim.gov.uk