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Land is an invaluable resource with multiple purposes such as food production, forestry, habitat preservation, carbon capture, and biofuel generation. However, the potential misuse of farmland for carbon-offsetting forests has policymakers concerned.
Despite these concerns, sustainable forestry presents an opportunity for the UK. According to Green Alliance’s Dustin Benton, the lowest quality 20% of UK farmland, which contributes only 1% to the country’s food consumption, could be better utilized for sustainable forestry. These upland farms, covering approximately 70 hectares, earn around £14,000 per year, including subsidies, due to the low productivity of the land itself.
Comparatively, sustainable commercial forestry practiced by funds like Foresight offers higher potential. By 2050, densely packed, fast-growing trees could yield up to 400 tonnes of wood per hectare within a 35-40 year rotation. If the price of wood rose by 2% annually and the value of these crops were discounted to present-day rates, they could amount to £20,000 per hectare. Additionally, each hectare might receive 250 tonnes of voluntary carbon credits for CO₂ capture, adding £5,000 to the value.
Although commercial forests may not be as aesthetically pleasing as natural forests, they are more financially attractive. However, significant increases in the price of carbon credits would be required to make economic sense for these forests.
It is important to note that forestry is only a viable option for low-quality farmland. Arable land, especially at larger scales, is more productive and valuable. The fact that the switch to sustainable forestry only makes sense in marginal cases is a positive aspect for proponents of rural landscapes.
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