Woodland Carbon Code
OF&G certification of the Woodland Carbon Code for the Forestry Commission
The UK Woodland Carbon Code (WCC) is a government-backed, voluntary carbon standard for certifying woodland creation projects, providing assurance that carbon savings are realistically achievable.
It comprises:
· A rigorous standard – ensuring the verification and credibility of woodland carbon sequestration projects in the UK
· Transparent registry – via an open platform to record, track and verify Woodland Carbon Units (WCUs) generated by projects
· Scientific backing – relying on robust methods to predict and monitor woodland carbon sequestration
· Independent verification – projects are impartially validated via government-supported processes and standards, by working with approved verification bodies, such as OF&G
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Woodland Carbon Code benefits
For farmers and landowners, the WCC offers multiple benefits:
· Carbon income – woodland creation projects that meet the WCC standard can generate revenue by trading WCUs, which are marketable to organisations seeking carbon offset opportunities
· Environmental impact – woodland creation positively contributes to carbon reduction and enhances local biodiversity, while striving to meet net zero targets. Trees provide a habitat for wildlife and play a vital role in ecosystem development
· Verification and validation – participation in the WCC shows commitment to environmental responsibility and attracts eco-conscious stakeholders
· Financial support – woodland creation initiatives often qualify for incentives and grants to initiate projects
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More information for farmers and landowners considering applying for the WCC can be found here.
Click here to find out more benefits of woodland creation.
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Steps to register your project
For farmers and landowners considering starting a woodland creation project, the following steps should be taken to register to the WCC.
1. Create an account – register for an account with the UK Land Carbon Registry. You will need to provide full company or charity details, plus a personal photo ID, before a login will be activated. Click here for more information on how to create an account.
2. Register your project – As of 1 October 2022, you now must register your project before work begins on-site. Projects can be validated individually or as a group. Group validation allows a number of projects to be validated under a single statement, which enables costs and responsibilities to be shared and WCC requirements to be met at all sites. Clarification on what determines an individual standard or small project, or group project, can be found here. Find out how to create a new project or group of projects here.
At this stage, you’ll also need to upload draft carbon calculations – find guidance on how to complete these here.
Once your project is registered, it will be publicly available to view via the UK Land Carbon Registry.
3. Validate your project – working with an accredited UK certification body, such as OF&G, will evaluate your project’s predicted carbon sequestration against stipulated benchmarks, while providing assurance that it is achievable (this can only be done by the landowner or tenant who plants the trees).
This can be completed up to three years post-project registration but you should contact your chosen validation body at least 18 months prior to the validation due date, to start the process. The project will not be signed off until all trees are planted but the validation process can begin from starting of planting.
4. Monitoring and auditing – post-validation, the project will be regularly monitored, working with your chosen validation body.
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Top tips for a smooth validation
- Give the validator as much notice as possible
- Make sure your documents are well completed and accurate
- Make sure you submit all the necessary supporting evidence (read more here).
- Respond as quickly as possible to requests for further information, clarification or corrective actions
Why validate with OF&G?
· The OF&G team has been directly involved in the development of the WCC and is the only remaining validator involved from the outset. Consequently, we have industry leading experience in both validation and verification of scheme projects
· OF&G has a dedicated team of independent inspectors
· OF&G works hard to ensure its voice is heard on behalf of you, our customers
· OF&G offers qualified, practical guidance to your business
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Income generation from carbon
Projects registered and validated by the WCC can apply for the Woodland Carbon Guarantee.
If successful, you can sell verified WCUs to the government for a guaranteed price that is index linked for the life of the project contract, every five or ten years, up to 2055/56.
You can find out which carbon route is right for you by using the Carbon Decision Tree, available on the WCC website.
Forestry Commission grant and funding schemes
If you apply for registration with the WCC, you are still eligible to apply for other Forestry Commission grants and funding schemes.
Discover your eligibility for:
- England Woodland Creation Offer
- Countryside Stewardship (woodland support)
- Woodland Creation Planning Grants
- HS2 Woodland Fund
Buying Carbon
WCUs from verified WCC projects can help companies compensate for unavoidable emissions. Projects also provide a whole host of benefits for water, biodiversity, communities and the economy, as well as sequestering carbon.
Read WCC guidance on:
- What are WCUs
- Why buy WCC-verified carbon units
- Where to buy WCC-verified carbon units
Examples of buyers who have purchased WCUs can be found here.
To find out more please contact OF&G at 01939 291800 or write to us at info@ofgorganic.org