Got a question about your carbon donation?

What is a Woodland Trust carbon donation?

Your carbon donation will support carbon sequestration including soil carbon, hedgerow carbon, delivering our trees outside woodlands programme and funding permanence. It will also help the Woodland Trust protect and look after the 1,000-plus woods in our care, ensuring they continue to capture and store carbon dioxide (CO₂). It doesn't support carbon sequestration projects under the Woodland Carbon Code and will not generate offsets. 

What does my donation help fund?

Your donation will be spent exclusively on the maintenance of our woodland estate. The woods in our care are a valuable carbon store, removing CO₂ from the air as part of the carbon cycle and helping to mitigate the effects of climate change. Our estate also provides vital habitat for wildlife and places for people to visit and connect with nature. Your donation does not support carbon sequestration projects under the UK Woodland Carbon Code and will not generate offsets.

What is the carbon cycle?

Carbon atoms naturally occur in every life form on Earth. The carbon cycle is the natural process by which these atoms continually move between the Earth’s atmosphere and the physical environment. When in the atmosphere, carbon takes the form of CO₂. The burning of fossil fuels by humans means CO₂ is being released into the atmosphere at a much faster rate than would naturally occur, while the destruction of trees and other plants means less carbon is stored in the environment. The increase in CO₂ levels within the atmosphere is the driving force behind climate change.

Trees play a key role in the carbon cycle as they absorb CO₂ from the atmosphere during photosynthesis. Each year roughly 20 million tonnes of CO₂ are absorbed by the UK’s forests. The carbon will eventually be re-released into the atmosphere as the trees decay, before being reabsorbed by new trees. As a result, it is vital to both protect existing trees and plant new ones to cope with the rising CO₂ levels caused by human activity.

How much should I donate?

Government figures for the UK population and CO₂ emissions suggest the average person has a carbon footprint of 5.5 tonnes of CO₂ per year.

You can mitigate your own impact by helping us to care for our woods, ensuring they continue to absorb and store carbon emissions. Every £25 donated helps us protect and care for an area of woodland that has the potential to secure roughly 1 tonne of CO₂. A donation of £137.40 would allow us to look after enough woodland to capture and store 5.5 tonnes of CO₂, matching the figure for the average UK person’s yearly carbon footprint. The donation amount is up to you, but can be set up as a regular direct debit or as a one off donation.

What is a carbon footprint?

The term carbon footprint refers to the amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions created due to the activities of a person, business or other entity.

What is carbon neutral?

Carbon neutrality is achieved when the emissions created by a person or other entity are balanced out by activities that ensure the equivalent amount of carbon is removed from the atmosphere. This is also known as net zero.

What is a carbon offset?

A carbon offset is an activity that will formally compensate for CO₂ emissions by ensuring the same amount of CO₂ is removed from the atmosphere.

How do I become carbon neutral?

To become carbon neutral you must estimate your carbon footprint and ensure the equivalent amount of CO₂ is offset. It is hard for any individual to claim to be truly carbon neutral, as accurately working out the emissions associated with every aspect of our lives is difficult. The best course of action is to take steps to reduce your environmental impact as much as possible.

How do I work out my carbon footprint?

We do not offer a carbon calculator as there is a lack of reliable data available for the carbon emissions associated with UK lifestyles. If you are interested in trying to calculating your own footprint, we would recommend the below:

• carbonindependent.org
• resurgence.org
• Eco Passenger offers a calculator to compare the energy consumption, CO₂ emissions and other environmental impacts of planes, cars and trains.

Can I plant a tree for carbon?

A carbon donation funds the maintenance and protection of the existing trees and woods cared for by the Woodland Trust. This includes encouraging the natural growth of new trees through the process known as natural regeneration. If you would like to plant a tree, trees are available to purchase from our shop.

How will you use my donated Nectar points?

Your Nectar points donation will support carbon sequestration including soil carbon, hedgerow carbon, protecting Woodland Trust woods and delivering our trees outside woodlands programme and funding permanence. Nectar points donation will not support carbon sequestration projects under the UK woodland carbon code and will not generate offsets.