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21/08/2010 14:07:08
Testing time for woodland carbon assurance scheme
The Forestry Commission is about to test a new quality assurance scheme for tree planting projects designed to sequester carbon.
The market for such projects is increasing but, until now, there have been no standards to measure their claims against, or to ensure that real benefits will accrue.
The new Woodland Carbon Code will encourage a consistent approach to projects and provide clarity and transparency to potential customers and investors about what their contributions should achieve.
The Commission developed the code in conjunction with a wide range of interests and it was subject to consultation earlier this year before being finalised.
To comply with the code projects must:
* be responsibly and sustainably managed to national standards;
* use standard methods for estimating the carbon that will be sequestered or locked up;
* be independently verified; and
* must meet transparent criteria and standards to ensure that real carbon benefits are made.
Project providers must register with the Forestry Commission, stating the exact location and long-term objectives of their project. Once approved, projects will then appear in a national online register.
Tim Rollinson, Forestry Commission Director-General, said:
"Increasingly, people and companies are realising the valuable potential that tree planting schemes have to soak up CO2 from the atmosphere. There are now many commercial schemes that encourage individuals and businesses to contribute to tree planting to help compensate for their carbon footprint. But before investing in projects people want to know that schemes will actually deliver what they claim. The Woodland Carbon Code will provide that reassurance and will encourage more investment in tree planting in the UK."
The six-month pilot phase will test the scheme with around a dozen pilot projects throughout the UK. This experience will help to refine the code and its associated guidance before it is launched early in 2011.
The market for such projects is increasing but, until now, there have been no standards to measure their claims against, or to ensure that real benefits will accrue.
The new Woodland Carbon Code will encourage a consistent approach to projects and provide clarity and transparency to potential customers and investors about what their contributions should achieve.
The Commission developed the code in conjunction with a wide range of interests and it was subject to consultation earlier this year before being finalised.
To comply with the code projects must:
* be responsibly and sustainably managed to national standards;
* use standard methods for estimating the carbon that will be sequestered or locked up;
* be independently verified; and
* must meet transparent criteria and standards to ensure that real carbon benefits are made.
Project providers must register with the Forestry Commission, stating the exact location and long-term objectives of their project. Once approved, projects will then appear in a national online register.
Tim Rollinson, Forestry Commission Director-General, said:
"Increasingly, people and companies are realising the valuable potential that tree planting schemes have to soak up CO2 from the atmosphere. There are now many commercial schemes that encourage individuals and businesses to contribute to tree planting to help compensate for their carbon footprint. But before investing in projects people want to know that schemes will actually deliver what they claim. The Woodland Carbon Code will provide that reassurance and will encourage more investment in tree planting in the UK."
The six-month pilot phase will test the scheme with around a dozen pilot projects throughout the UK. This experience will help to refine the code and its associated guidance before it is launched early in 2011.
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