Nature Restoration Fund: early information for nature markets and the wider sector
The Planning and Infrastructure Act is a key part of the government’s ambition to deliver long-term economic growth and accelerate the delivery of new homes and infrastructure across Britain. As part of this, the Forestry Commission has just published the Nature Restoration Fund Implementation Plan, setting out how the Act will support the recovery of […]
Celebrating excellence at Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards 2025
A school which has taken lessons on climate change out of the classroom and into the real world, and a project using trees to stop a notorious flooding problem are among the champions honoured at this year’s Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards. When you add in a project to plant free nut and fruit trees in […]
Institute signs joint letters to new UK Government ministers
In November 2025 and following the recent Cabinet reshuffle, the Environmental Policy Forum (EPF) wrote to the recently appointed Secretaries of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs; and Housing, Communities and Local Government, Emma Reynolds MP and Steve Reed MP, respectively. The Institute is one of 15 member bodies that make up EPF network […]
New resilience strategy launched by Forestry England
Forestry England today (10 November 2026) launched a new strategy and action plan that will protect the nation’s forests against the multiple threats they face. Three key principles of assessing, diversifying and restoring will guide foresters across the organisation so the 1,500 forests and woodlands in their care are fit for the future. As the […]
SocEnv reacts to UK carbon budget and growth delivery plan
The UK Government published a new Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan on 29 November, featuring details on how the country will deliver emissions reductions up to the year 2037, how the government meets its statutory carbon budgets and secures the benefits of this transition for people and businesses. Dr Emma Wilcox CEnv, Chief Executive […]
Third version of the Woodland Carbon Code launched
A new version of the Woodland Carbon Code – the UK’s quality assurance standard for woodland carbon projects – launched on Friday 1 August 2025. Version 3 incorporates insights from recent research and consultation feedback and aligns with national and international frameworks. The changes are designed to make the Woodland Carbon Code more accessible, practical […]
Institute signs joint statement on Local Nature Recovery Strategies
We recently published a joint statement with Confor and the Royal Forestry Society in support of the development and implementation of Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) across England, but these LNRS must be developed with a strong foundation in professional forestry expertise, evidence-based standards and collaborative engagement. Please see this statement below. Forestry advice for […]
Public opinion of forestry survey results published
Forest Research have today (Thursday 10 July) released the results of the Public Opinion of Forestry Survey 2025 for England and the UK, Scotland and Wales. The survey is carried out biennially, canvassing public attitudes to forestry and forestry-related issues. Welcoming the findings, Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon commented: “It is really promising to see that […]
Institute signs joint letter to the Prime Minister & Chancellor on the value of nature
Today, the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) published a letter sent to the Prime Minister and Chancellor on behalf of 11 professional bodies, including the Institute of Chartered Foresters, in the UK who are deeply concerned about increasing tension between growth and nature. We argue that the idea of choosing between housing […]
Government publishes findings from Environmental Improvement Plan rapid review
Steve Reed OBE, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, has published an interim statement on the strategic findings from the rapid review of the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) that was launched in July 2024. The statement also provides an update on future plans for revising the EIP. We welcome the review of […]