Nature Markets Strategy Board - Terms of Reference

The Woodland Carbon Code is the UK standard for woodland carbon projects.  Scottish Forestry provides Woodland Carbon Code services under the Memorandum of Understanding between the UK, Scottish and Welsh governments. 

The Memorandum of Understanding is between The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for the UK Government and The Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy for the Scottish Government and The Minister for the Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs for the Welsh Government and the Forestry Commissioners for the Cross-Border provision of Forestry Functions and Research Delivery. 

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. 

The priority of the Nature Markets Strategy Board is the Woodland Carbon Code, but the future development of markets in other woodland ecosystem services is also in scope.

The Nature Markets Strategy Board focusses on decisions and guidance that require senior level agreement across the forestry authorities.  

Specific tasks of the Nature Markets Strategy Board include:

• Reviewing progress of the Woodland Carbon Code on delivery, promotion and development as set out in the cross-border Memorandum of Understanding, and reporting annually to the Forestry Governance Group
• Aligning the operation of the Woodland Carbon Code with forestry policy across the countries of the UK and with best practice in carbon and nature markets
• Ensuring suitable competence over its functions, in line with the responsibilities of ministers
• Setting the strategic direction and scope of the Woodland Carbon Code, including in relation to government policies and associated instruments

The Nature Markets Strategy Board guides the strategic and operational development of the Woodland Carbon Code.

The Executive Board reports to the Nature Markets Strategy Board and provides direction to the Woodland Carbon Code team.

The Advisory Board and the Disputes Panel advise the Executive Board.

The Nature Markets Strategy Board is a standing board and members of the Nature Markets Strategy Board will be the Chief Executives of the forestry authorities across the UK, with deputies as required.

Current members are listed on our governance page. 

The chair rotates on an annual cycle.

The Nature Markets Strategy Board will meet two to three times per year as required.

The Woodland Carbon Code team provide technical and secretariat support.

Minutes of Nature Markets Strategy Board meetings are publicly available at www.woodlandcarboncode.org.uk/board-minutes 

Representatives of all four forestry authorities are involved in decisions. If any country representative is not present at a meeting, separate discussions are held as appropriate. Decisions are made by majority. In the case of a split decision, the chair has the casting vote.

Members of the Nature Markets Strategy Board complete a Declaration of Interest form and this will be reviewed annually. Declarations will be reviewed by the Woodland Carbon Code team but will not be made public. The Woodland Carbon Code team will decide on the appropriate action.

Depending on the nature of the conflict, the board member could be removed from the board or be removed from meetings concerning the project, organisation or subject through which there is a conflict of interest. 

The Woodland Carbon Code team produces an annual report on the code, its governance, the projects and activities over the year, financial information and a look ahead. This is available at www.woodlandcarboncode.org.uk/about