Annual Report - 2024 to 2025

Leugh sa Ghàidhlig | Darllen yn y Gymraeg 

Welcome to the Woodland Carbon Code’s 2024 to 2025 annual report.

It’s been a busy year as we continue to help land managers develop woodland carbon projects across the UK.

Our impact

The code is continuing to make a significant contribution to woodland creation and UK greenhouse gas targets.

In 2024 to 2025, 141 projects were validated to the code, covering almost 5,000 hectares.

Projects validated to the code are now predicted to sequester 29.1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent over their lifetime.

Development and improvement

We are committed to improving and developing the code so we can have an even greater impact in future.

In 2024 to 2025, we have expanded our team, enhanced our communications and engagement activity and taken further measures to strengthen the processes that underpin the code, including developing template buyer-seller agreements. 

We are excited to be part of a new CivTech Challenge, exploring how we can use innovative technologies to make our monitoring and administration processes more accessible, accurate and efficient.

Wider context

There have been important developments in nature markets. We were pleased to welcome the publication of:

•    The UK Government’s Voluntary and Nature Markets Integrity Principles
•    The Scottish Government’s Natural Capital Market Framework
•    The Welsh Government’s consultation on sustainable investment principles

We have also engaged with the suite of nature market standards being developed by the British Standards Institution.

These initiatives are an important recognition of the value of high integrity voluntary nature markets in addressing the climate and biodiversity crises.

Thank you

I would like to thank all of our partner organisations, project developers and carbon buyers for your support over the last year.

By working together, we are making a vital contribution to our natural environment and helping to address the climate crisis.

Pat Snowdon
Head of Economics and the Woodland Carbon Code 
Scottish Forestry

Please email us if you would like to request a Gaelic or Welsh version of this annual report.  

Our mission

The Woodland Carbon Code is the quality assurance standard for UK woodland creation projects which address climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Our mission is to empower landowners, organisations and businesses to address climate change by helping them to create and support woodland projects across the UK.

Backed by government, the forest industry and carbon market experts, the code provides independently verified carbon units which landowners can use to generate income and organisations and companies can use to compensate for their unavoidable emissions.

The code is delivered by Scottish Forestry on behalf of the governments of the UK, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

Our projects

Woodland Carbon Code projects generate high integrity carbon credits which make permanent and additional contributions to greenhouse gas removals.

Projects also provide a host of benefits for nature and society, including improvements in health, wellbeing and biodiversity, local employment and educational opportunities and advantages for farming.

Case study - Cwm Fagor, Wales

Cwm Fagor in Monmouthshire was the first project to be accredited to the Woodland Carbon Code in Wales.

The 80 hectare site was bought by Thorlux Lighting in 2008.  The company successfully reduced their carbon emissions through the 2000s and wanted to create a mixed woodland which would remove carbon to compensate for residual emissions.

Thorlux clients enjoy visits to Cwm Fagor as a symbol to the company’s commitment to biodiversity, sustainability and mitigating climate change. The project also provides access to local community groups which express an interest.

There are visible increases in flora and fauna at the site, including small mammals, butterflies and bluebells.

I have been delighted to chair the Nature Markets Strategy Board in 2024 at such an important time for the Woodland Carbon Code.

In 2024, the Woodland Carbon Code team made significant progress in enhancing its work through a range of development projects. We have also seen major national and international initiatives to drive integrity and scale in voluntary carbon markets with the development of frameworks and principles which support their growth.

Launched in 2011, the Woodland Carbon Code is the most advanced example of a natural capital market in the UK. It plays a crucial role in supporting the UK’s environmental commitments, including ambitious tree-planting targets and the aim to reach net zero by 2050.

On a global scale, the code is recognised as one of the world’s leading carbon standards, offering a model for developing robust nature-based markets.

I look forward to seeing the Woodland Carbon Code continue to inspire and unite landowners, businesses and communities in tackling the climate and biodiversity crises.

Paul Lowe
Chair, Nature Markets Strategy Board 2024
Chief Executive, Scottish Forestry

Overview of governance

Nature Markets Strategy Board

The Nature Markets Strategy Board is responsible for guiding the strategic and operational development of the Woodland Carbon Code in line with the memorandum of understanding on cross-border provision of forestry functions and research delivery. 

Executive Board

Executive Board is responsible for managing the day-to-day running of the programme, including its application, promotion and technical development. 

Advisory Board

The Advisory Board provides advice and expertise on the operation, promotion and development of the Woodland Carbon Code.

Disputes Panel

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

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

The Woodland Carbon Code is delivered by a team of professionals across the UK.

Find out about their roles and professional passions below. 

Anna Brand Operational Manager  “Woodland creation and maintaining integrity in carbon markets.”	Phoebe Golden Coordinator  “Woodland creation, sustainability, economics.”	Bruce Auchterlonie Advisor “New woodland establishment, timber harvesting, silviculture.”
Vicky West Senior Development Manager  “Working in an area where I see action on the ground to address the climate and biodiversity crisis.”	Andrew Baker Senior Operational Manager  “Supporting a credible and sustainable ecosystem marketplace to drive resilient woodland creation at scale.”	Susan Szymborski-Welsh Communications Officer “Using good communication to make a positive impact.”
Leon DeBell Monitoring Advisor “Doing whatever I can to be an advocate for nature.”	Natalie Meiklejohn Coordinator  “Addressing the nature and climate crisis.”	Alice Peace Coordinator “Encouraging sustainable woodland to address the climate and biodiversity crisis.”
Pat Snowdon Head of Economics and Woodland Carbon Code “Making the economy work better for nature.”	Pippa Lewis Geographic Information Systems Officer “Using spatial analysis and remote sensing to support carbon sequestration estimates.”

The Woodland Carbon Code was launched in 2011. Our impact so far:

•    762 projects validated

•    38,705 hectares new woodland created

•    13 million tonnes planned carbon dioxide removal   

Key projects in 2024 to 2025 

Buyer / seller agreement templates

We collaborated with the IUCN UK Peatland Programme to develop template agreements for buying and selling units from Woodland Carbon Code and Peatland Code projects.

The templates will help buyers and sellers understand the risks and liabilities they should consider.

The project was funded through the Facility for Investment Ready Nature in Scotland.   

Biodiversity crediting methodology  

We have been working with the IUCN UK Peatland Programme to develop a methodology for biodiversity monitoring and measurement.

Nature-based activities such as woodland creation and peatland restoration hold enormous potential to support biodiversity alongside tackling the climate crisis.

We recently ran a consultation on the proposed methodology and are considering next steps. The project has been funded by the Facility for Investment Ready Nature in Scotland. 

Communications and engagement

We have developed a comprehensive communications strategy, informed by user insight and team objectives, to enhance awareness and understanding of the code.  The team has enhanced communication and engagement by:

•    Establishing a webinar series on the operation and development of the code
•    Improving our website and newsletter
•    Increasing the code’s profile on social media such as LinkedIn
•    Placing public consultation at the heart of developing the code
•    Participating in events across the UK and internationally to increase knowledge-sharing about the code and voluntary carbon market
•    Publishing regular blog posts and articles on key initiatives

New technologies

We are exploring how new technologies could help with our monitoring and administration processes.

We are working with three UK companies as part of the CivTech Challenge, a Scottish Government programme which supports public sector innovation. The companies are proposing a range of complementary solutions to help the Peatland Code and Woodland Carbon Code.

We are also trialling a methodology for using drones to help with monitoring for verifications at year five.

Research and development - additionality and carbon price data

The Woodland Carbon Code team took part in a major study by EY and funded by Defra that developed a future framework of capabilities for the code and reviewed its operations and data requirements. The work was an important step in supporting the effective governance and operation of the code in future. 

We subsequently commissioned EY to run an independent consultation on the financial additionality test that projects need to pass to be eligible for the code. We analysed the results and are incorporating changes into version 3 of the code.

The team also worked with Ecosystem Marketplace and the IUCN Peatland Programme to publish updated carbon pricing data for Woodland Carbon Code and Peatland Code projects. The information shows that Woodland Carbon Code unit prices more than doubled over five years - from an average of £11.02 in 2020 to £26.85 in 2024. The data helps to promote transparency in the UK voluntary carbon market.

Income for 2024 to 2025 

Costs 2024 to 2025 

Notes:

1. Value Added Tax: Within the statement of net expenditure, all income and costs are shown net of VAT for simplicity.

2. Income from Scottish Forestry, Forestry Commission and Welsh Government includes respective contributions to a cross-border research fund which provided income for Woodland Carbon Code research and development.

3. Includes income and costs for wider economic advice delivered by the Woodland Carbon Code and Economics team under the cross-border memorandum of understanding for the provision of forestry functions and research delivery.

As we look ahead to the coming year, we are excited to continue many of our key projects, including our biodiversity crediting methodology and involvement in the CivTech Challenge. We will also be progressing a number of other important developments. 

Updating the code

The team will be publishing an updated version of the Woodland Carbon Code standard and guidance in August 2025. The new version will incorporate changes based on feedback gathered through public consultation.

UK Land Carbon Registry  

The Woodland Carbon Code is running a tender process for a registry provider. The UK Land Carbon Registry stores and displays data about Woodland Carbon Code and Peatland Code projects as well as the ownership and use of carbon units.

The current provider, S&P Global, will soon be implementing an improved platform and we hope the retender process will provide an opportunity for further enhancement.

The team hopes to agree a new contract by August 2025. 

Woodland Water Code 

The Woodland Water Code is being developed by a consortium led by Forest Research, funded by the UK Government through Defra’s Nature for Climate Fund programme. The consortium is working on developing woodland water credits, initially for water quality and then for flood alleviation and water cooling.

The project team will be seeking input from a range of professionals and organisations to support the development over the coming year.   

Accreditation

The team are preparing to renew their accreditation with the International Carbon Reduction and Offset Alliance and to apply for accreditation with Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market.

These global standards help to support integrity in carbon markets. 

                Thank you for all of your support in 2024 to 2025!