Woodland creation has experienced exponential demand over the last few years, fuelled by the Climate Emergency and growing Carbon market. Trees are seen as a key driver in helping to combat global warming, sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it as a carbon sink. Commercial woodland creation also provides an opportunity for future income from timber, whereas native woodland creation can enhance amenity value and sustain important biodiversity.
If you are considering a woodland creation scheme, you may also want to consider registering your project under the Woodland Carbon Code (WCC).
The Woodland Carbon Code (WCC) is the quality assurance standard for woodland creation projects in the UK, and generates independently verified carbon units. Backed by the Government, the forest industry and carbon market experts, the Code is unique in providing woodland carbon units in the UK. The Woodland Carbon Code is internationally recognised for high standards of sustainable forest management and carbon management and is endorsed by the International Carbon Reduction and Offset Alliance (ICROA).
All woodland creation projects must now be registered before planting can take place and have to be independently validated and verified at key points throughout the project life. Once validated, the carbon units can be traded. However, it is only once they have been verified can they be used to off-set carbon emissions. The sale of carbon is a rapidly evolving market and offers significant opportunity from potential sales of carbon units, and expert advice is essential.
