Accelerate UK Forests

225 haof new woodland

500,000+trees planted since 2018

Long-term removalsdeveloped under the UK Woodland Carbon Code

Map view centered on the North Atlantic near Europe, with a camera focus frame in the middle.

Close-up of vibrant green pine needles forming fluffy, elongated clusters along a branch with brown, dried scales, set against a blurred natural background.

An older person with short white hair smiling outdoors, wearing a navy fleece vest over a blue sweater, with a green field in the background.

Creating new woodland now to build future carbon removal supply

Woodland carbon projects take years to establish, grow, monitor and verify. Supporting them early can help bring new removals into the market while creating long-term value for nature, landowners and local communities.

In the Scottish Borders, Broadmeadows is one example of what this can look like. The 225-hectare project is creating new woodland across former grazing land, with more than 500,000 trees planted since 2018.

The project is supported by DWF as part of its long-term net zero climate strategy, demonstrating how businesses can help create future carbon removal supply rather than waiting until credits are available.

Project at a glance

225 hectares

of new woodland

500,000+ trees

planted since 2018

Long-term removals

developed under the UK Woodland Carbon Code

Building future forests

A lone evergreen sapling with soft, needle-like branches stands near a stone wall and barbed wire, with rolling brown and green hills under a blue sky.

Challenge

Creating woodland at scale takes time, capital and long-term stewardship. Trees need to be planted and maintained years before the carbon removals they generate are fully realised. Projects also need to work with the existing landscape, biodiversity, soils and local communities if they are to deliver lasting value.

Solution

At Broadmeadows, new woodland is being created across 225 hectares using a mix of conifers and native broadleaves. The design has been informed by surveys covering soils, biodiversity, landscape and heritage, alongside local community input. Public pathways have also been incorporated into the woodland. The project follows the UK Woodland Carbon Code, providing a framework for measuring and verifying the carbon removals generated as the forest grows.

Impact

Over time, the project is designed to remove carbon from the atmosphere while creating new habitat and a more diverse landscape. It also provides wider benefits through biodiversity restoration, public access and long-term land stewardship. Wildlife is thriving in the DFW forest, with pine martens among the species recorded there.

Challenge: Creating woodland at scale takes time, capital and long-term stewardship. Trees need to be planted and maintained years before the carbon removals they generate are fully realised. Projects also need to work with the existing landscape, biodiversity, soils and local communities if they are to deliver lasting value.
Solution: At Broadmeadows, new woodland is being created across 225 hectares using a mix of conifers and native broadleaves. The design has been informed by surveys covering soils, biodiversity, landscape and heritage, alongside local community input. Public pathways have also been incorporated into the woodland. The project follows the UK Woodland Carbon Code, providing a framework for measuring and verifying the carbon removals generated as the forest grows.
Impact: Over time, the project is designed to remove carbon from the atmosphere while creating new habitat and a more diverse landscape. It also provides wider benefits through biodiversity restoration, public access and long-term land stewardship. Wildlife is thriving in the DFW forest, with pine martens among the species recorded there.

Cluster of small white flowers forming a rounded inflorescence on a leafy branch, with bright green serrated leaves and a sunlit, blurred hillside background.

Why early finance matters

Woodland carbon projects need support long before their full climate impact is delivered.

Early and long-term finance helps cover planting, maintenance, monitoring and project development, making it possible to establish forests today that can deliver removals for decades.

For businesses, this creates an opportunity to help build future carbon removal supply and potentially secure access to removals aligned with longer-term climate goals.

Hilly landscape with a winding dirt path through grassy slopes and scattered evergreen trees; three hikers walk along the path under a blue sky with wispy clouds.

A real example of Accelerate in action

DWF supports Broadmeadows, linking its net-zero ambition with long-term carbon removal, nature and community benefits.

Read the DWF case study

Project at a glance

Restoring habitat

New woodland creates additional habitat and supports biodiversity recovery.

Supporting communities

Public pathways provide access to the forest and connect the project with the local community.

Creating long-term value

The forest becomes a lasting natural asset, supporting carbon removal, biodiversity and land stewardship over time.

dense field of evenly spaced evergreen trees, forming neat rows on a sloped hillside with bright green foliage and sunlit ground cover

Accelerate future carbon removal supply

Many businesses with net zero targets will need removal in the future, which have to be developed years in advance.

Climate Impact Partners helps businesses identify opportunities to provide early and long-term finance, support project development and help bring new carbon removal supply to market. For companies following a science-based climate strategy, this type of support can also form part of wider Ongoing Emissions Responsibility (OER) activity, alongside continued emissions reductions within their own operations and value chain.

Speak to our experts