However, overall woodland creation remains below national ambitions, with Scottish Forestry reporting 7220 hectares planted against an annual target of 10,000 hectares. Despite missing the broader target, Scotland continues to lead the UK in new woodland creation, accounting for 54% of all planting activity over the past year. Delivery during 2025–26 was affected by inflationary pressures, rising costs and global instability, with more complex woodland schemes, particularly those involving natural regeneration, taking longer to bring forward. Minister for agriculture, marine and the islands Jim Fairlie said progress remained mixed but highlighted encouraging growth in native woodland creation. Forestry remains Scotland’s only sub-sector delivering a net emissions reduction, absorbing 7.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent annually, around 14% of Scotland’s gross emissions.