A new version of the Woodland Carbon Code - the UK’s quality assurance standard for woodland carbon projects - has been launched today.
Version 3 incorporates insights from recent research and consultation feedback and aligns with national and international frameworks.
The changes are designed to make the Woodland Carbon Code more accessible, practical and commercially viable for the land management sector.
They include:
- Revising rules to encourage more projects on crofted land
- Allowing projects up to 10 hectares to use a streamlined approach
- Providing clearer information on requirements and guidance
- Changing the minimum project duration to align with international standards
- Updating data in the additionality cashflow and carbon calculator
- Clarifying the survey protocol
- Refreshing and streamlining template documents.
The new version uses the latest economic data to reflect the practical realities of land management in today’s business climate.
Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: “The Woodland Carbon Code is the government’s standard of excellence for verifying genuine carbon credits associated with woodland planting schemes across the UK. It is internationally endorsed as meeting high standards of integrity and is playing a vital role in helping Scotland meet its environmental ambitions, including our target to reach net zero by 2045.
“Over 500 woodland creation projects have now been validated under the code in Scotland, covering an area of 33,000 hectares. These projects are expected to remove 10.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, while also delivering a range of environmental, social and economic benefits. The new version of the Code offers opportunities for small woodlands on farms and small holdings through simplifications to the process and improved eligibility for crofters.”
Huw Irranca-Davies, Wales’s Deputy First Minister, who has responsibility for Climate Change policy, said:
"Welsh farmers and landowners have significant opportunities to increase and diversify their income through woodland creation, whilst contributing to our climate goals.
"The updated Woodland Carbon Code provides an excellent mechanism for this, and I'm particularly pleased that the increase in the threshold for those eligible for a more streamlined process will allow a greater number of smaller projects to benefit. I hope this will encourage more Welsh landowners to make the most of this opportunity."
Andrew Muir, Northern Ireland Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs commented: “These changes to the UK Woodland Carbon Code embrace recent research and valuable consultation feedback. They further enhance the integrity and transparency of the Code and will encourage its wider adoption by landowners, organisations and businesses. I am optimistic that carbon funding streams can increasingly play an important role as a catalyst to achieving the higher rates of woodland creation needed to meet our Climate Action Plan commitments.”
Pat Snowdon, Head of Economics and Woodland Carbon Code at Scottish Forestry, said: “This update reflects our commitment to continuous improvement, ensuring the Woodland Carbon Code remains a trusted standard. We’re grateful to everyone who contributed to the development through our consultation - your insights have helped shape the new version.”
Mark Broadmeadow, Head of Climate Change at the Forestry Commission, said: “This update maintains and enhances the integrity of the code, ensuring that it continues to support a developing and vibrant carbon market.”
The Woodland Carbon Code helps landowners, organisations and businesses to address climate change by creating and supporting woodland projects across the UK. It is delivered by Scottish Forestry on behalf of the governments of the UK, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Since its launch in 2011, the code has helped to create 38,705 hectares of new woodland which are predicted to remove 13 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
The team is holding a free webinar on Tuesday 5 August at 2pm to provide an overview of the changes and answer any questions. You can also find out more about Woodland Carbon Code Version 3.0 at www.woodlandcarboncode.org.uk
Image credit: Highfield Forestry.