TheWoodland Carbon Code is the quality assurance standard for UK woodland creation projects which addressclimate change by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. It sets out the principles and requirements for developing high-quality woodland carbon projects.[1]
The code helps landowners, organisations and businesses to address climate change by creating and supporting woodland carbon projects across the UK. It provides provides independently verified carbon units which landowners can use to generate income and organisations and companies can buy to compensate for their unavoidable UK-based emissions.[2]
Projects can provide a range of other benefits, including:
The Woodland Carbon Code is endorsed by theInternational Carbon Reduction and Offset Alliance. It also aligns to national and international standards, including theUK Forestry Standard, BSI’s Nature Investment Standards and theIntegrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market’s Core Carbon Principles.[4]
The Woodland Carbon Code is delivered byScottish Forestry on behalf of the governments of the UK, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.[5]
As of August 2025, projects validated to the Woodland Carbon Code have created 38,705 hectares of woodland and are predicted to sequester over 13 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent over their lifetime.[6] The code supports additional woodland creation by providing finance for voluntary projects which wouldn’t be viable without carbon credit revenue.
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.[8]
| Year | Development |
|---|---|
| 2007 to 2011 | Development, consultation and piloting |
| 2008 | Executive board established |
| 2009 | Advisory board established |
| 2011 | Launch of version 1 of the code |
| 2013 | Launch of UK Woodland Carbon Registry on Markit Environmental Registry |
| 2015 | Disputes panel established |
| 2016 | Year 5 verification process launched |
| 2018 | Launch of version 2 of the code |
| 2020 | Launch of the UK Land Carbon Registry - a joint registry for Woodland Carbon Code and Peatland Code projects |
| 2024 | Nature markets strategy board established |
| 2025 | Launch of version 3 of the code |
TheUK Land Carbon Registry stores and displays data about Woodland Carbon Code and Peatland Code projects as well as the ownership and use of carbon units. It is managed by S&P Global.[9]
