Woodland and Peatland Carbon Codes

What is the UK Woodland Carbon Code?

The WCC a certification standard that aims to ensure the effective measurement and verification of carbon sequestration (capture and storage) in woodlands and forests in the United Kingdom. It plays a crucial role in supporting climate change mitigation efforts and net zero targets by providing a robust framework for measuring, verifying, and promoting the carbon benefits of woodlands and forests and allows entities to invest in carbon offset projects.

Trees and forests act as “carbon sinks” by absorbing CO2 during photosynthesis and storing it as carbon in their biomass and soil, so the primary goal of the WCC is to incentivise management and planting of new woodlands for drawing down and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide. It also takes into account the other benefits of woodland planting such as biodiversity improvement, air and water quality improvement and social engagement.

The Code sets out specific standards and requirements that woodland and forest projects must meet to qualify for certification which cover various aspects including tree species, planting method and management practice, and ongoing measurement methodologies.

Third party auditors assess whether a project meets the Code’s requirements and accurately quantifies the carbon sequestration and this is done to ensure transparency and credibility.

Once a project is certified it can generate carbon credits which quantify the amount of carbon that the woodland or forest has sequestered. These credits can then be sold to individuals, businesses, or governments looking to mitigate their carbon footprint.

The code takes into account the various risks posed to forests such as wildfires and deforestaion, and requires that projects present contingency plans that would address these risks and allow for monitoring of fluctuations in carbon stocks.

To create a market for woodland carbon, the Code maintains a publicly-accessible registry which acts as a record of all active credits and creates legitimacy within the marketplace. The revenue generated from these sales can vary depending on market conditions, demand for carbon offsets, and the quality of the credits. The price per ton of CO2 equivalent (CO2e) can fluctuate, so timing the sale of credits can be important.

Contact us today

Peatland Carbon Code

Similar to the concept of the Woodland Carbon Code, the UK Peatland Carbon Code is designed to promote the restoration and sustainable management of peatlands. These areas of high importance wetland characterised by the accumulation of peat (partially decomposed organic material) which is vital for its ability to store high quantities of carbon. Likewise similar to the WCC, the PCC aims to quantify and verify the carbon sequestration benefits of peatland restoration projects and allow landowners and managers to generate and sell carbon offset credits based on these benefits.

Healthy, intact and undrained peatlands are carbon sinks which store carbon in the form of peat, preventing its release into the atmosphere in gas form – as carbon dioxide (CO2).

For peatland projects to qualify for certification, the Code has established a number specific standards and requirements for restoration and management . These standards cover various aspects including the techniques used for restoration, methodologies used for monitoring, and long-term management plans. The long-term nature of these projects is crucual to ensure that sequestered carbon remains stored under ground.

Similar to the WCC, projects gain certification under the PCC by undergoing independent verification by accredited third-party auditors to assess whether the project complies with requirements and can be verified to accurately quantify alleged carbon sequestration benefits.

Once certified, a project can create units representing the amount of carbon sequestered by peatland management or restoration, which can be sold as credits to businesses, governments or individuals looking to mitigate their carbon footprint.

The long-term permanence of carbon storage in peatlands is crucial. The Code requires projects to develop and implement long-term management plans that ensure the protection and preservation of restored peatlands. Ongoing monitoring is essential to track changes in carbon stocks and verify the continued success of the project.

The UK Peatland Carbon Code, like the WCC also maintains a registry for the public to access and see where certified projects are located and to see their associated peatland carbon credits. This shows buyers the legitimacy of offset credits.

Balancing nature recovery with business viability ensures returns for nature and for you.

Get in touch

Download our brochure to learn more about our services

Please complete all the details below. Your data is subject to our Privacy policy here.

"*" indicates required fields