Voluntary Carbon Credits

High‑integrity carbon removal supporting nature recovery in the South Downs

Our voluntary carbon offer enables organisations to address residual emissions while directly supporting long‑term nature recovery within the South Downs National Park. All projects are rooted in high‑integrity standards, robust governance, and clear environmental and social benefits, ensuring carbon finance delivers measurable climate and nature outcomes.

What are voluntary carbon credits?

Voluntary carbon credits allow organisations to balance residual emissions once all feasible reductions have been made.

A carbon credit is typically issued for one tonne of greenhouse gas emissions reduced/avoided or removed, verified under a recognised standard.

In practice, voluntary credits may come from:

Removal projects that take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and store it (for example, woodland creation)
Avoidance or reduction projects that prevent emissions from occurring or reduce emissions compared with a baseline scenario

We offer both:

UK option: PIUs (Pending Issuance Units) from UK woodland projects. These represent future projected carbon removals and are suitable for organisations that want to support UK woodland creation now and secure future carbon units.
International option: verified carbon credits from international projects. These represent carbon reductions or removals that have already been verified and are suitable for organisations that want to use verified credits now as part of their carbon strategy.

How do I calculate my residual emissions?

To calculate your residual emissions, sign up for the free Clean Growth UK Carbon Calculator and follow the steps provided.

How to buy voluntary carbon credits
We work with organisations at different stages of their climate journey and can support:
- Early‑stage project finance through PIUs
- Access to verified carbon for immediate offsetting
- Guidance on aligning carbon purchasing with wider climate and nature strategies
- International prices start at £8 and UK-based prices are around £75, depending on volume.
To discuss the most appropriate option for your organisation, please get in touch.

- Carbon Projects in the South Downs
  All UK woodland carbon offered through the South Downs National Park is registered under the Woodland Carbon Code (WCC) – the UK’s government‑backed standard for woodland creation carbon projects.
  
  We use the Woodland Carbon Code because it provides:
  - Independent verification – projects are validated and verified by accredited third parties
  - Additionality assurance – carbon finance must be essential to enable woodland creation
  - Robust governance – projects are listed on the UK Land Carbon Registry, preventing double counting
  - Long‑term permanence – woodland is protected and monitored over several decades, with risk‑management measures in place
  Under the Woodland Carbon Code, buyers can support woodland creation from the point of planting through Pending Issuance Units (PIUs), which are later converted into verified Woodland Carbon Units once carbon sequestration has been independently confirmed.
  
  This approach ensures UK woodland carbon credits are credible, transparent and aligned with best practice for voluntary carbon markets.
  
  A note on peatland carbon
  
  The South Downs National Park does not contain peatland suitable for peatland carbon projects. However, other UK National Parks and protected landscapes do offer peatland restoration under the Peatland Code.
  
  Where organisations are interested in peatland carbon, we can help signpost to appropriate projects elsewhere in the UK, ensuring buyers access the most suitable solution while maintaining high integrity standards.
  
  High‑integrity by design
  Integrity sits at the heart of our voluntary carbon offer. Every project adheres to the following principles:
  
  Additionality
  All woodland creation and carbon sequestration are additional and would not have happened without carbon finance through the South Downs programme.
  
  Permanence
  Woodlands are protected for the long term. Deforestation is illegal in the UK, and projects include risk mitigation measures to safeguard carbon storage over time.
  
  No double counting
  All projects are registered with the relevant carbon codes and do not generate income from the same ecosystem service more than once.
  
  Multiple benefits
  In addition to carbon removal, projects deliver biodiversity uplift, flood mitigation, soil stabilisation, landscape restoration, and benefits for local communities and landowners.

UK and international voluntary carbon options
In addition to UK‑based woodland carbon delivered within the South Downs National Park, we also enable organisations to access high‑integrity international voluntary carbon credits.International credits allow organisations to support verified carbon removal or avoidance projects overseas, while still delivering tangible benefits at home. When international carbon is purchased through the South Downs National Park programme, any commission generated is reinvested directly into nature recovery within the South Downs, at no additional cost to the buyer.

This approach allows organisations to:
- Balance residual emissions using internationally recognised projects
- Support climate action in regions where mitigation may be delivered more quickly
- Ensure a proportion of their carbon spend is reinvested into UK nature recovery
International credits are carefully selected to align with recognised standards and good‑practice principles, and are offered alongside our UK woodland carbon to provide flexibility depending on organisational needs.

Ethics and partner standards

All partners we work with are required to meet the commitments set out in our Ethics Charter. This charter underpins how we select and work with delivery partners, brokers and intermediaries, and includes expectations around transparency, environmental integrity, social responsibility, and responsible marketing.

This ensures that carbon projects and partnerships associated with the South Downs National Park align with our values as a public authority and contribute positively to people, nature and climate.

Complementary nature markets

Voluntary carbon credits can be complemented by Voluntary Biodiversity Credits, which focus specifically on measurable biodiversity outcomes rather than carbon. Together, these voluntary markets allow organisations to support both climate mitigation and nature recovery, addressing different but connected environmental challenges.

Where appropriate, organisations may choose to combine voluntary carbon and biodiversity credits to demonstrate a more holistic contribution to nature recovery in the South Downs.

International alignment and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Whether purchasing UK‑based or international voluntary carbon, all options align with internationally recognised climate and sustainability frameworks.

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a universal framework, adopted by all UN Member States, and apply to both developed and developing countries. This means they are relevant to local action within the UK, including nature recovery and climate mitigation in the South Downs, as well as to international projects.

Our approach supports organisations seeking credible action that complements global climate commitments. Our approach supports organisations seeking credible action that complements global climate commitments.

Projects contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, in particular:
- SDG 13 – Climate Action through carbon removal and emissions mitigation
- SDG 15 – Life on Land by supporting habitat protection and restoration
- SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation through improved ecosystem function and catchment benefits
- SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth by supporting land managers and local economies
- SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals through collaboration between public bodies, landowners and private organisations
By investing through the South Downs National Park, organisations can demonstrate how both local and international action contribute to global goals, supporting transparent ESG reporting and credible climate claims.

- Why buy carbon through the South Downs?
  Choosing the South Downs National Park as your carbon partner ensures your investment delivers tangible, local impact alongside climate action.
  - Local first – carbon finance supports nature recovery you can see and visit
  - In‑house expertise – projects are developed and overseen by the National Park Authority
  - Trusted landowner relationships – long‑standing partnerships enable delivery at landscape scale
  - Reinvestment into nature – any commission generated is reinvested directly into UK nature recovery, at no additional cost to buyers
- How your support makes a difference
  Carbon finance enables:
  - Large‑scale woodland creation across the South Downs
  - Long‑term carbon sequestration secured over decades
  - Enhanced biodiversity and habitat connectivity
  - Support for rural economies and local land managers
  - Climate resilience benefits such as flood risk reduction

Contact

For more information about voluntary carbon opportunities with the South Downs National Park:

Sarah Westbrook
Nature‑based Solutions Officer
South Downs National Park Authority
Email: sarah.westbrook@southdowns.gov.uk
Phone: 07866 961634

Voluntary carbon credits should be used to address residual emissions only, alongside ambitious carbon reduction plans.