Premier, in partnership with the Woodland Trust, held a tree planting event, as part of its ongoing industry leading Carbon Capture programme. The environmental initiative offers their customers an option to mitigate the CO2 emissions generated by the production, storage and distribution of the products purchased from Premier.
Held at a 38-hectare (94-acre) site on the edge of Silsden, the event on the 27th February, brought together 30 Carbon Capture customers to plant a mixture of native broadleaf saplings. This effort contributes to an ambitious plan to establish over 30,000 native trees, including sessile oak, wild cherry, silver birch, and rowan, while restoring five hectares of ancient woodland.
To help protect the young trees from wildlife and sheep grazing on the farmland, attendees also worked together to construct wooden tree cages from timber. These protective enclosures will ensure the saplings have the best possible chance to establish and thrive, supporting the long-term success of the new woodland.
The site offers an exciting opportunity to link existing woodland near the reservoir and create a green corridor along a section of the public right of way. Over the next 50 years, this area will develop into a thriving native broadleaf woodland, providing vital habitats for wildlife, enhancing biodiversity, and helping to combat climate change. The new woodland will also protect ancient semi-natural and secondary woodlands nearby, featuring a varied structure with grassy paths and open glades to encourage public access and engagement with nature.
Additionally, this project forms part of the Northern Forest initiative, which aims to plant 50 million trees across the M62 corridor, stretching from Liverpool to Hull. As the woodland matures, it will play a crucial role in locking away carbon, supporting local ecosystems, and offering an accessible green space for future generations. The tree planting at Hayhills Farm is being funded through the Northern Forest Grow Back Greener programme, which is led by the Woodland Trust in partnership with White Rose Forest, with funding from the Government’s Nature for Climate Fund.
The Carbon Capture programme, run in partnership with the Woodland Trust, enables Premier customers to capture the CO₂ emissions from their material purchases, with 100% of funds raised going directly to tree-planting projects. The initiative recently achieved a significant milestone, surpassing £2 million in donations to the Woodland Trust—a testament to Premier’s commitment to sustainability.
“Seeing our customers come together for such a meaningful cause is incredibly inspiring,” said Hussein Ismail, Marketing Director at Premier. “By supporting projects like this, we are not only helping to create new woodlands but also ensuring that our landscapes remain resilient and accessible for the future.”
Premier remains dedicated to sustainable business practices and looks forward to continuing its partnership with the Woodland Trust to drive positive environmental change.
For more information about Premier’s Carbon Capture programme, visit www.mycarboncapture.co.uk.