Version history

Version: 3.0, 3.0 with track changes from version 2.2

Published on: 1 August 2025 

Effective from: 1 August 2025. Projects already in development can continue to submit for validation or verification using Version 2.2 until 30 June 2026.

Key changes:

• 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

Version: 2.2, 2.2 website guidance and 2.2 with track changes from version 2.1, 2.2 template documents and tools

Published on: April 2022

Effective from: 1 October 2022

Key changes:

• Updates to standard document and some template documents, including project design document, project progress report, cashflow and woodland benefits tool
• Specification that from 1 October 2022, projects had to register before work began on site (rather than before planting)
• Changes to additionality test, removing barrier test and creating a ‘standardised’ financial test
• Clarifications on issues about types of income (e.g. donations) and use of other carbon standards
• Added requirement to submit woodland benefits tool separately with social and environmental information
• Increased registry costs (account opening and unit issuance)

Version: 2.1

Published on: March 2021

Effective from: 1 July 2021

Key changes:

• Released new standard document, guidance and template documents, including the Woodland Carbon Code cashflow
• Specified that from 1 July 2021, projects had to be registered before planting started
• Added options for natural colonisation/ regeneration in the carbon calculation section, made cosmetic changes to calculation spreadsheet and added new guidance document
• Added more information about project monitoring, including:
  • More guidance on monitoring from year 15, including full monitoring and verification procedures, a self-assessment option and basic monitoring and verification for projects which use the small projects calculator
  • Providing an updated survey protocol 

Version: 2.0

Published on: March 2018

Effective from: 1 July 2021

Key changes:

Updates made to the standard, guidance, template documents and carbon prediction and measurement tool, including:

• Enhanced detail on project verification
• Integration of simplified method for ‘small woods’
• Incorporation of woodland benefits tool

Version: 1.3

Published on: July 2014

Effective from: 1 October 2014

Key changes:

• Clarification of landowner commitment statement requirements
• Clarification on loss reports
• Clarification of monitoring requirements

Version: 1.2

Published on: July 2013

Effective from: 1 October 2013

Key changes:

• Added section ‘1.0 Commitment’
• Changes to section ‘1.1 date definitions’
• Changes to 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’ about timing of first verification
• Changes to section ‘2.7 Carbon Statements and Reporting’ to reflect move to new registry and for clarity
• Released new versions of the single project and group project design document, mainly to reflect the move to Markit Environmental Registry
• Released new versions of carbon calculation examples, including new table to show Pending Issuance Units listing by vintage

Version: 1.1

Published on: July 2012

Effective from: 1 October 2012

Key changes:

• Changes to additionality and monitoring sections
• Released project design document version 2.1, reflecting changes to code
• Released carbon look-up tables version 1.5 to include 2.0m Scots Pine
• Released look-up table guidance version 1.4 with changes to emissions from establishment

Version: 1.0

Published on: July 2011

Effective from: 1 October 2011