A session at the Confor Woodland Show aims to attract landowners and woodland agents interested in generating income from the carbon being absorbed by their or their clients' growing trees, and doing their bit to tackle climate change into the bargain.
To be held on Thursday 10th September, it will set out the latest developments in the UK woodland carbon market, and explain proposals for a new, streamlined and more cost-effective process for certifying and managing small woods to the standards of the Woodland Carbon Code (WCC).
The income potential arises from the opportunity for woodland owners and developers to "sell" the carbon absorbed by the woodlands to parties who want to compensate for their emissions to the atmosphere. This can effectively mean that the carbon buyer pays part or all of the cost of establishing and managing the woodland, while the woodland owner continues to enjoy the other benefits, which can still include income from timber production.
WCC certification provides an assurance to woodland carbon buyers that the woodlands really do achieve the carbon savings claimed, in addition to being well managed to the requirements of the UK Forestry Standard.
This assurance of credibility makes the purchase of woodland carbon units more attractive to responsible buyers, among whom can be large, well known companies as well as small local businesses, organisations and individuals.
The code is administered by the Forestry Commission, and Dr Vicky West, climate change analyst at the Commission, said, "This session will be particularly useful to landowners, agents and project developers interested in undertaking smaller projects, but who might previously have found the carbon code process and costs a barrier to participation.
"However, anyone who is new to the carbon code and the concept of woodland carbon projects of any size should also find it equally informative, and our staff will be available during and after the session to answer questions and discuss it in depth."
The session will be held in the Confor marquee at the Longleat Estate, Wiltshire, on Thursday 10th September from 11:00 to 11:30am, and will be introduced by Sir Harry Studholme, Chair of the Forestry Commission.
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