Summary
How much are new woodlands worth to Wales?
Summary
In 2010 the Welsh Assembly announced a target to create 100,000 hectares of new woodland over a 20-year period. Forest Research carried out economic valuations of expected net benefits based on carbon sequestration, wood production, amenity services, health and agricultural production.
Key findings
The estimates reveal that the creation of new woodland is very cost-effective as a climate change mitigation measure.
- Overall net present value of the new planting derived over a 100-year time frame ranged from £299 million (lowest estimate) to £8.6 billion (highest estimate)
- Climate regulation: £901 million–£5.7 billion
- Wood production: £30,000–£130,000
- Amenity and health: £402 million–£2.9 billion
- Agricultural production: -£719 million–£90 million
- Forestry costs: -£286 million–-£169 million
- Total carbon sequestration: 44–82 MtCO2
Our work
The Forest Research team considered scenarios involving planting a range of broadleaves (either an ash-sycamore-birch mix, or oak). They also applied novel GIS-based approaches in conjunction with benefit transfer to estimate the amenity and health benefits associated with woodland creation.
Publications
Funding and partners
Commissioned and funded Forestry Commission Wales
Status
The project was completed in 2012.