About the code

The Woodland Carbon Code is the quality assurance standard for woodland carbon projects in the UK.   

It sets out requirements for voluntary woodland creation projects which tackle climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.  

Woodland carbon projects offer a revenue stream for landowners and farmers and a way for companies to support woodland creation and compensate for emissions. 

Projects also provide a range of other environmental, social and economic benefits including:

• Biodiversity and habitat creation
• Improvements in air quality
• Improvements in water quality and flood reduction
• Improvements in health and wellbeing
• Employment and educational opportunities
• Opportunities for community engagement and volunteering
• Shelter for livestock
• Producing sustainable building materials

The Woodland Carbon Code generates high integrity, independently verified carbon units right here in the UK.

Informed by the latest science, the code is backed by government, the forest industry and carbon market experts.

It’s endorsed by the International Carbon Reduction and Offset Alliance and recognised for high standards of sustainable forest and carbon management.

The code meets a number of key integrity principles. It:

• Provides real and measurable emissions reductions
• Generates unique, traceable units which are listed on the UK land Carbon Registry
• Delivers additional and permanent carbon removals
• Ensures projects are validated and verified by independent bodies
• Is responsibly and sustainably managed, aligning to national and international standards, including the UK Forestry Standard, BSI’s Nature Investment Standards and the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market’s Core Carbon Principles
• Contributes to Sustainable Development Goals by delivering benefits for the climate, environment and communities

The code is delivered by Scottish Forestry on behalf of the governments of the UK, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Woodland creation is one of our most powerful tools in the fight against climate change. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and provide a host of benefits for nature and society.    

Woodland creation is vital to delivering many of our national environmental commitments, including the target for the UK to reach net zero by 2050. Carbon removal projects also contribute to the UK’s international commitments (our Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement).

Companies can support woodland creation by buying and using units from woodland carbon projects. There are a number of steps involved this process. 

Large organisations must report their carbon emissions in line with UK Government guidelines and all organisations are encouraged to reduce their emissions. Once organisations have reduced their emissions in line with science-based targets, they can compensate for unavoidable, UK-based emissions by buying carbon units from Woodland Carbon Code projects. 

The following organisations have developed standards for buyers and sellers to help provide a high-integrity voluntary carbon market.   

• The Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative

• The Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market

By bringing landowners, companies and communities together to support woodland creation, the code makes a vital contribution to the environment and to UK greenhouse gas targets.  

The Woodland Carbon Code covers:  

• Greenhouse gases absorbed or emitted by new woodlands which are created by planting, natural regeneration or direct seeding.
• Greenhouse gases absorbed or emitted by new woodlands under different management styles, from minimum intervention to regular clearfelling.
• Emissions caused in the creation of the woodlands.
• Emissions caused by the project outside the woodland boundary.  

It does not cover: 

• Existing woodlands.
• Carbon stored in forest products.
• Carbon saved by using wood products or fuels instead of those with a higher carbon footprint. 

The Woodland Carbon Code was launched in 2011 by the Forestry Commission. Since 2019, it has been delivered by Scottish Forestry on behalf of the governments of the UK, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.