A Fresh Chapter for Woodland Carbon

Version 3 of the Woodland Carbon Code (WCC), the quality assurance standard for verifying woodland carbon credits in the UK, was unveiled on 1 August 2025. The update brings together cutting-edge research, consultation feedback and international alignment to bolster accessibility, practicality and commercial viability.

What's changed and why it matters

1. Rules revised to encourage more projects on crofted land. The Code now explicitly supports projects on crofted land, detailing how tenanted crofts and community grazing areas can contribute. This is a significant win for Scottish crofters seeking carbon project eligibility.

2. Streamlined approach for small-scale projects. Projects up to 10 hectares may now opt for a lighter, streamlined validation and verification process, encouraging small woodland initiatives across farms and estates. This is up from 5 hectares under the previous version and will make it quicker and cheaper for projects to go through the validation and verification process.

3. Sharper guidance and user tools. The WCC now features clearer differentiation between mandatory requirements ("shall") and guidance ("should"/"may"), along with refreshed templates.

4. Project duration aligned: now 40 years. To match international norms and help align UK projects with global carbon accounting practices, the minimum project lifespan is now set at 40 years

5. Updated cashflow and carbon calculator data. Reflecting the realities of today’s economic landscape, the additionality cashflow and carbon calculator now incorporates the latest financial data and is committed to an annual review cycle. This may also mean that schemes which previously did not qualify, now might (e.g. those with higher % of conifers)

6. Enhanced protocols. The update clarifies survey protocols, smoothing the path from planning to validation.

The WCC continues to uphold its reputation for integrity while inviting greater participation through the eligibility area increases for the streamlined approach.

Since 2011, the WCC has already supported over 38,700 hectares of woodland creation, which is expected to remove 13 million tonnes of CO2 (source: Institute of Chartered Foresters)

Transition timeline at a glance

• Launch date: version 3 launched on 1 August 2025

• Grace period: projects already underway under the previous version can continue submitting validation/verification using that version until 30 June 2026 - that's an 11-month window for transition

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🌳 Thinking about a woodland carbon project? Get in touch on 01480 890686 to explore how the Woodland Carbon Code Version 3 could support your land management and business goals. We’ll help you explain the process, assess opportunities, navigate updated requirements and maximise the long-term value of your woodland creation.