This petition was submitted during the 2019-2024 parliament

Petition Require developers felling trees to fund reforestation projects

Tree growth is an effective means of trapping carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. The UK has one of the lowest forested areas in Europe.

Mature trees are lost in housing and infrastructure development.

We want Parliament to legislate to ensure these trees are adequately replaced.

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New forests absorb carbon dioxide, help biodiversity and help the UK to meet its carbon footprint target.

At present, a mature tree lost in the course of a development is replaced, if at all, by a sapling on site. The net loss of carbon trapping is detrimental to the local environment and the atmosphere.

There would be a formula whereby the funding for replacement saplings depends on the size of the tree lost.

The national and global benefits of more forestation will accrue wherever it is done.

This petition is closed This petition ran for 6 months

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Climate change and biodiversity debated by MPs

On Wednesday 8 February, Sally-Ann Hart MP led a Westminster Hall debate in Parliament on climate change and biodiversity.

Watch the debate, read the transcript of what was said and access other relevant material:

What are Westminster Hall debates?

Westminster Hall is the second Chamber of the House of Commons.

Westminster Hall debates give MPs an opportunity to raise local or national issues and receive a response from a government minister. Any MP can take part in a Westminster Hall debate.

Debates in Westminster Hall take place on ‘general debate' motions expressed in neutral terms. These motions are worded ‘That this House has considered [a specific matter]'. This means that Westminster debates don’t end in a vote on a particular action or decision.

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Biodiversity loss debated by MPs

MPs held a debate on biodiversity loss on Wednesday 15 May in Westminster Hall. The debate was led by Caroline Lucas MP.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Rebecca Pow MP, responded on behalf of the Government.

What is a Westminster Hall debate?

Westminster Hall is the second chamber of the House of Commons. Westminster Hall debates give MPs an opportunity to raise issues and receive a response from a government minister. Westminster Hall debates are general debates that do not end in a vote.

Visual explainer: Westminster Hall debates

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