Fermanagh and Omagh District Council marks National Tree Week with a ‘Carbon Bench’

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is marking National Tree Week 2023 with the installation of a ‘carbon bench’, which has been kindly donated by Balcas.

The ‘carbon bench’, situated at the Round ‘O’ Park in Enniskillen, is approximately 1.15m³ of timber from a single tree, which has been carved into a seat.  It represents one tonne of carbon, removed from the atmosphere by the tree, which is now locked in the timber, protecting the environment.

National Tree Week, which takes place from 25 November to 03 December 2023, is the UK’s largest celebration of trees and the contribution they make to the environment.

Trees are essential as they provide many services for people, wildlife, the environment and are often taken for granted.  Trees serve many purposes, from the simple – producing fruit, providing homes for wildlife and shelter for us, to the scientific – removing carbon from the atmosphere, producing oxygen, helping with flood alleviation, enriching and stabilising our soils, to the sublime – providing natural play areas and inspiring each of us on a daily basis.

Speaking about the carbon bench, Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Thomas O’Reilly, said:

“On behalf of the Council, I am delighted to receive this bench from Balcas.  It is fittingly located at the Round ‘O’ Park in Enniskillen where it will be available for locals and visitors alike.

It will provide a unique feature within the park where people can sit and enjoy the natural environment of trees, water and wildlife around them.”

Brian Murphy (CEO) from Balcas commented:

“The forest and timber industry plays a big role in helping combat climate change. Trees soak up carbon emissions while also providing a sustainable building resource through our timber.

The tree that provided this beautiful bench, like all trees we use, has since been replaced and more, creating a renewable and natural resource. Balcas go a bit further and use the entire tree, harvested from Ireland’s commercial forests to manufacture a range of timber products whilst also using the sawdust and woodchips leftover from timber manufacture to generate clean electricity to run our factory and homes, and to make renewable fuel in the form of wood pellets.

Over the past 15 years, Balcas wood pellets have replaced the equivalent of more than four super tankers of oil to Britain and Ireland.”

The Council’s Climate Change and Sustainable Development Strategy commits to working in partnership with stakeholders to accelerate the transition to a net zero District by 2042, This bench from Balcas demonstrates our commitment to achieve this and to promote the Climate Action message, inspiring each of us to make one small change, every day to protect our environment.

For more information on tree planting or other Biodiversity action, visit the Council website (www.fermanaghomagh.com) or contact the Climate Team on biodiversity@fermanaghomagh.com.