The government has “zero prospect” of fulfilling its tree planting goals, according to the UK’s forestry trade association.

The government of the United Kingdom vowed in 2019 to plant 30,000 hectares (115 square miles) of new trees by the end of 2024.

During the fiscal year 2021/2022, less than 14,000 hectares (54 square miles) will be planted.

Depending on the planting density, the aim of 30,000 hectares is comparable to between 90 and 120 million trees per year.

The Confederation of Forest Industries (Confor), which represents 1,500 UK forestry enterprises, stated in a statement that the government had “zero prospect” of keeping its promise.

“Both economically and environmentally, this is a complete policy failure,” stated Confor’s chief executive, Stuart Goodall.

“Report after report has indicated that more tree planting and wood use is essential for the United Kingdom to fulfill its net-zero emissions goals, but this is not being converted into trees on the ground,” he said.

The government’s commitment to reach “net-zero” emissions by 2050 is reflected in its tree-planting goal. Trees remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, so reducing global warming.

Mr. Goodall stated that Scotland has planted three-quarters of the United Kingdom’s new forests. He referred to the statistics for England, Northern Ireland, and Wales as “wretched.”

Defra stated in a statement that the government is currently on course to accomplish the objective, but admitted that “there is more work to be done” to maintain the government’s ambitious trajectory.