How can you prove your woodland project saves carbon?

We know that trees are a good thing. Not only can well-managed woodland help prevent flooding, support biodiversity, replace energy-intensive construction materials, and provide biomass for energy generation, but it also is set to play a key role in the UK’s drive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions – through sequestering carbon. As a result, individuals and businesses are now keen to support tree planting as a way of offsetting their carbon footprint.

Which adds up to an opportunity for farmers and land managers. But with more and more of these schemes developing, how can you assure potential customers and investors that your project will actually deliver what you claim?

The Forestry Commission’s new Woodland Carbon Code to be launched tomorrow has been designed to do just that – it aims to encourage a consistent approach and provide clarity and assurance to customers and investors about the carbon savings that projects will achieve. The Code sets out good practice requirements, in terms of sustainable forest management (based on the requirements of the UK Forestry Standard) and carbon finance (where key requirements include additionality and permanence).

The Code uses rigorous and consistent forest carbon measurement protocols to measure carbon uptake in woodlands. “Carbon lookup tables” and a carbon assessment protocol have been developed by the Forestry Commission’s Forest Research agency. The code also establishes a system of independent certification by organisations accredited by the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS). The requirement to register projects will prevent project double counting.

Project developers must register with the Forestry Commission, stating the exact location and long-term objectives of their project. Once approved, projects will then appear in a national online register and be able to use a Woodland Carbon Code label. They'll also be able to apply for government grant aid and are encouraged to engage with businesses and carbon broker companies that may also wish to invest in the projects.

The six-month pilot phase will test the scheme on around a dozen pilot projects throughout the UK. The experience gained will help to refine the code and its associated guidance before it is launched early in 2011.

The Code has been set up to give customers and investors assurance that the scheme they join has sound sustainability principals and effective monitoring and evaluation behind it. And of course, it offers farmers and land managers a marketing edge. 

Theresa Andrew is the Climate Change Support Officer at the Forestry Commission. You can contact her by email: theresa.andrew@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

•    Further information on the Woodland Carbon Code can be found here or you can download it here.
•    Are you interested in woodland creation? What do you need to get started? Do you think it fits in with your farm business? Get in touch with us to share your story: farming@forumforthefuture.org