Council commits to 1.2m new trees in wake of "climate emergency"

The first of these will be planted this Saturday (5 October) by council leaders at the Surrey Hills Wood Fair in the village of Cranleigh.

The council, in partnership with Tilhill Forestry, will also be giving families at the fair a free tree to plant at home.

Mike Goodman, cabinet member for environment and waste, said: "an oak tree will absorb a tonne of carbon over 40 years.

"Over the next few months we will be inviting businesses who use trees - kitchen suppliers, cabinet makers - to say how many trees they use in a year, and invite them to plant a tree for each one they use."

He added that district and borough councils, Surrey Wildlife Trust, the Forestry Commission and the Woodland Trust "are keen to partner with us".

Surrey County Council declared a "climate change emergency" in July and committed to reach zero carbon by 2050 at the latest.