The Process

Potential partners come to us because they have begun to consider the impact their operations have on the environment. The first and most important thing to have done is to identify ways in which this impact can be reduced at source This isn't only good for the environment - it generally saves money as, for example, energy or travel bills are reduced. Despite a business's best efforts on this regard there will always be a remaining balance of carbon emissions that are unavoidable, and these can be made good by the process of 'offsetting', or mitigating, their carbon footprint - or getting somebody else to reduce their emissions on your behalf. We think the best way to 'offset' is through UK woodland carbon capture - creating new woodlands that benefit the country, the landscape and the global environment. Businesses can offset all or some of their footprint - anything is better than nothing. 

We can help you to calculate your carbon footprint if you haven't been able to do that yourself. We can also advise on the types of activities other businesses have covered with their carbon mitigation programmes, and help you to understand the business benefits that can arise from your actions. We will also talk you through the complicated world of carbon offsetting and credits - so you can speak with confidence to your stakeholders about what you are doing.

As part of this stage of the process we will also identify the scale and length of your potential mitigation requirements - for example would you need a dedicated project, or part of a shared one - and would you be capturing this year's carbon, or this year's and next year's, or several years' worth. We will offer the most appropriate carbon capture project for your needs.

Based on your requirements we will make some project proposals to you - these will include locations, species to be planted, size of planting, carbon calculation and dates of planting.

Projects are certified to the Woodland Carbon Code - the government backed quality assurance standard that means partners can be sure that the right trees are planted, in the right place; that they're managed properly and protected in the long term; that the carbon capture estimates are sound, project specific and risk adjusted; and that the woodlands would not be there but for Forest Carbon and partners.

Once a business is happy with the potential woodland creation projects being offered completing the process is simple. Forest Carbon issues an invoice, and once it is paid the carbon credits from the relevant project(s) are transferred to the partner's account on the Markit Registry. Forest Carbon will set up and manage this account for the business.

Planting a large woodland in the UK is a significant undertaking and the  process is necessarily thorough and therefore lengthy. Woodland  creation projects could be at any stage in the process when first  discussed with a partner, including initial design, public consultation,  environmental assessment and discussion with the Forestry Commission.  The whole process can take anything from three months to a couple of  years.

Only once planting is completed we will monitor the project from there on. Site visits by arrangement are welcomed. Many of our clients visit their woodlands with staff or customers and some even get involved in the planting itself.

You can also put your name on the gate.