Woodland Carbon Code governance

Secretariat

Executive Board

Advisory Board

Disputes Panel

Development of the code

Secretariat

The Woodland Carbon Code secretariat function is provided by Scottish Forestry, on behalf of the Forestry Commission in England, the Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Forest Service. Before April 2019, it was managed by the Forestry Commission.

Scottish Forestry is the Scottish Government agency responsible for forestry policy, support and regulation. 

Executive Board

This board is the executive body responsible for managing the day-to-day running of the code, including its application, promotion and strategic and technical development. It meets around six times per year.

Tasks include:

• Annual review and update of the code
• Interpretation of the code and its application, including dispute resolution
• Design of the validation, monitoring and verification process
• Support for the operation of the registry
• Project validation/verification support and governance
• Approval of validation/verification bodies
• Capacity building, communication and promotion of the code
• Periodic reports on the uptake of the code and a triannual evaluation
• Establish sub-committees as necessary to deal with specific issues (e.g. communications)

Members

Executive board minutes 

Advisory Board

The advisory board advises executive board on:

• The development and revision of the code and supporting tools and guidance
• Interpretation of the code and its application
• Validation, monitoring and verification processes
• Communication and promotion of the code
• Monitoring, research and evaluation
• Market development

The advisory board meets around four times per year or more frequently as required. The Woodland Carbon Code secretariat acts as chair and provides secretariat services.

Members 

Members come from a broad range of forest sector and carbon market stakeholders. Other experts can be asked to attend when necessary. Members are appointed by executive board and membership is reviewed regularly. Any potential conflicts of interest shall be stated by members and the secretariat will manage accordingly.

Advisory board minutes

Disputes Panel

The disputes panel deals with any disputes relating to the interpretation of the standard. 

Members

If the appointed advisory board members have a conflict of interest concerning any case, then the executive board will appoint an alternative advisory board member. Voting is by majority. In the case of a split decision, the chair has the casting vote.

The panel meets as required and advises the executive board. If you have an issue to bring to the panel, please complete the claimant dispute form and email it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

The disputes process is set out below.

1. The disputes panel will invite the claimant to make their case.
2. The secretariat and/or the validator/ verifier will also provide information on the case.
3. The panel will consider all information then share a draft response with the claimant for comment.
4. The claimant will have a fixed time to comment.
5. Any new information will be shared with the secretariat to ensure a common understanding of the issues.
6. The panel will consider any further information and then formally respond.
7. The panel’s decision is final.

Any complaints about the conduct of Scottish Forestry staff members should follow our standard complaints procedure.

Development of the code

We are still developing and improving the Woodland Carbon Code. Here is a summary of the main developments so far.