Woodland Carbon Code News

We’ve published a new version of the WCC today and there are some key changes for project developers and landowners to note: 

There is a new standard document, and new template documents for all stages (registration, validation and verification).  If you haven’t yet started on your documentation, please use the new Version 2.1 documents (Version 2.4 for the carbon calculator).  

Registration:  After 30 June 2021, projects have to be registered BEFORE PLANTING STARTS

• If you planted this winter (20/21) and were planning on registering, make sure you submit by 30 June 2021.
• If you are planting next winter (21/22), make sure you register before you plant.

Registration, Validation or Verification:  If you have started preparing documents for any of these stages, you have until 30 June 2021 to submit your project using the current version of documents.  After that date all projects must be submitted on the new Version 2.1 documents (Version 2.4 for the Carbon Calculator).  

Key changes/ additions to the guidance:

• Additionality:  We have created a new WCC Cashflow Spreadsheet with a Guidance Document to help you complete it.
• Carbon Calculation:  We have added options for natural colonisation/ regeneration, made some cosmetic changes to the WCC Carbon Calculation spreadsheet and added a new Guidance Document.
• Monitoring your project:  We have added further information about monitoring your project including:
  • An updated survey protocol
  • Further guidance on monitoring from year 15 onwards including
    • Full Monitoring and verification procedures
    • Basic Monitoring and verification for projects who use the small projects calculator
    • A Self-Assessment option which can be used if certain criteria are met.

Guaranteed income for delivery of verified Woodland Carbon Units in England over the next 30 years.  View Newsletter

UK businesses can now instantly reduce their carbon footprints by purchasing credits created by forestry projects.

Under the Woodland Carbon Code, companies looking to compensate for any unavoidable UK-based emissions and reduce their impact on the global climate can buy credits from carbon forestry projects.

• Woodland Carbon Code Version 2.0 launched:
  • Widened the definition of a 'single project'
  • Integrated 'small woods' process - A group can contain both 'standard' and 'small' projects.
  • Integrated verification process
  • New section 1.4 Conformance with the UK Forestry Standard
  • 1.6 New Additionality Spreadsheet
  • 2.1 Combined sections on landowner and group manager commitments
  • 2.2 Clarified mapping rules
  • 2.3 Change to 'single rate' 20% WCC Buffer contribution
  • 2.4 Separate consultation section (moved from 5 Social Responsibility)
  • 2.6 Clarified registry use including new 'assignment' function
  • 2.7 Removed required to list carbon buyers in PDD
  • 4 Environmental Quality and 5 Social Responsibility - Links to the WCC Woodland Benefits Tool to assess wider benefits.
• Documents (Project Design Document V2.0, Project Progress Report V2.0):
  • Updated versions of both documents which can be used for either a single project or a group.  After 08 June 2018 all documents submitted to validator/verifier have to be on new templates. 
  • New Additionality Spreadsheet available.
• Carbon Calculation:
  • Updated WCC Carbon Lookup Tables V2.0 and WCC Carbon Calculation Spreadsheet V2.0 & Guidance.  Existing project developers need to use/download the new versions of both.
  • Updated Carbon Assessment Protocol V2.0.  Anyone conducting a year 15 monitoring survey will need to consult this version.

The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) has accredited Acoura and Soil Association for verification of Woodland Carbon Code projects. Both were previously accredited for validation. News Release.

A young woodland in West Lothian, Scotland, has become the first project in the UK to be ‘verified’ as continuing to meet the standards of the Woodland Carbon Code after ‘passing’ its first five-yearly progress inspection. News Release

A streamlined and more cost-effective process for certifying and managing small woodlands to the standards of the Woodland Carbon Code (WCC) was launched today. News Release

The first units of carbon dioxide set to be sequestered, or removed from the atmosphere, by woodlands validated under the UK’s Woodland Carbon Code have been notified for sale for the first time as National Climate Week gets under way. News Release

• Woodland Carbon Code V1.2 released;
  • new section 1.0 Commitment,
  • changes section 1.1 date definitions,
  • changes section 2.1 Registry to reflect move to Markit Environmental Registry,
  • changes to section 2.5 Management of Group Schemes to reflect new group scheme guidance,
  • changes to Section 2.6 Monitoring regarding timing of first verification,
  • changes to section 2.7 Carbon Statements and Reporting to reflect move to new registry and for clarity
• Project Design Document:  New versions of both the single project and group PDDs mainly to reflect move to Markit Environmental Registry.  You must submit PDD to CBs on the new version after 31/10/2013.
• Carbon Calculation Examples:  New versions of examples including a new table to show PIU listing by vintage (to copy to PDD).

UK Woodland Carbon Code launched on Markit Environmental Registry, enhancing transparency and accountability in the trade in British Woodland Carbon Units.  Carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestered, or absorbed, by WCC-validated woodlands in the UK can be traded, and the development enables changes of ownership of each tonne to be tracked. The registry will also record when projects are registered and credits are listed, and when carbon units have been “used” by a company in its carbon account. News release.