Scottish Water is set to achieve a significant milestone in its woodland creation programme, planting over 500,000 trees by the end of the current planting season in March 2025.

This year, the company will plant more than 245 hectares of native woodland across various sites, including Loch Katrine, Backwater Reservoir, and Talla Reservoir. These new woodlands will contribute to carbon capture, biodiversity enhancement, and water quality protection.

By planting these trees, Scottish Water aims to sequester over 2,885 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. Additionally, the woodlands will help slow the flow of water, reducing erosion and improving water quality in reservoirs.

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Scottish Water's commitment to environmental sustainability extends beyond this current planting season, with plans for future woodland creation projects as part of its strategy to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040.

Scottish Water's General Manager for Net Zero, Elise Cartmell, said: "We are delighted to be on track to reach this major milestone of half a million trees planted through our woodland creation programme, which represents a key part of our net zero journey.

"Planting native woodlands in a sensitive manner on our land is an effective way to capture large amounts of carbon, while also protecting the water quality of our reservoirs - the trees help to hold more water in the land and reduce the amount of material being washed off the hillsides during heavy rain so there are multiple benefits from these schemes."

She added: "We are committed to the sustainable management of our landholdings across Scotland and have a responsibility to maximise opportunities to improve biodiversity, lock up carbon and protect water quality at our sites. We are excited to continue to expand our woodland creation programme in the coming years."

Scottish Water has committed to meeting net zero total emissions across all its operational and investment activities by 2040.