Pledge to plant more trees in Braintree and Witham to tackle climate crisis

The pledge was put forward by the Green and Independent group on Braintree Council and has now been unanimously backed by the Conservatives, Labour and Halstead Residents’ Association.

It means the council’s climate change working group, which was set up last year, will now look into how tree planting can be “significantly increased” on both private and public land throughout the district.

The group will also investigate how the council can use its “power and influence” to protect existing trees, hedgerows and woodlands.

Speaking in a meeting where councillors backed the motion to do more to tackle climate change, Green leader James Abbott said: “All the efforts to make our energy systems more renewable and more efficient are all beneficial but having more trees simply takes carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and locks it into the trees themselves.

“It is really important for the protection and enhancement of biodiversity.

“Trees and woodlands are also really important for people’s health and well-being. They can be places for people to go to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.”

Mr Abbott went on to highlight figures which show only six per cent of land in Essex is covered by woodland, compared to 13 per cent across the UK as a whole.

Despite backing the Greens’ pledge, the leading Conservative group warned the council’s limited powers meant it would not be able to launch a tree-planting spree by itself.

Environment boss Wendy Schmitt said: “We have planted trees wherever we can, but this problem is so great that although planting odd trees here or there helps, it has got to be on a grander scale.

“We do not own that kind of land and the new Government has promised there will be thousands of trees planted.

“It would be wise to wait and see what they offer.

“The commitment is absolutely there and we will do everything that is within our limited powers."