NetZeroPlus: Government funding boost for plans to deliver tree-planting to an area the size of Devon Jessica Rawnsley Share Government confirms £30m of new investment in a range of projects designed to enhance natural carbon sinks Around 750,000 hectares - an area larger than Devon - is set to be forested across the UK over the next 25 years as part of a new project headed by researchers from the University of Exeter that is today celebrating a major government funding boost. As part of a £166m industrial decarbonisation funding package announced this morning, the government earmarked over £30m for a series of five projects designed to deliver 'negative emissions' by enhancing the UK's natural carbon sinks.