How Biodiversity is Assured Under the Clo Carbon Cymru Biochar Standard

A buyers FAQ

Last modified: 21.11.2025

1. Does every certificate issued through the CLOC Framework deliver biodiversity benefits?

Yes. Every CLOC corresponds to biomass sourced exclusively from ecologically regenerative woodland, hedgerow, or agroforestry systems.
Unlike most carbon-credit schemes, biodiversity gains are not optional co-benefits, they are embedded into the certification rules, directly influencing eligibility, management, and verification.

2. How is biodiversity measured and verified?

Biodiversity is assessed through a combination of:
  • Structural habitat indicators (canopy variation, light levels, coppice age mosaic, deadwood volumes)
  • Species indicators (woodland specialists, pollinators, nesting birds)
  • Hedgerow condition metrics (density, height, width, species mix, berry yield)
  • Agroforestry diversity indicators (tree species, understory composition, soil biological activity)
Verification includes:
  • Desk review of biodiversity management plans
  • Field inspection of 100% of woodland coupes / 100% of hedgerows
  • Photopoint comparisons
  • Species and structural surveys
This process aligns with ISO 14064-3 and the IUCN Standard for Nature-Based Solutions.

3. What biodiversity standards does Clo Carbon Cymru follow?

The Biochar Standard is aligned with:
  • IUCN Global Standard for Nature-Based Solutions (NbS)
  • UK Woodland Ecological Condition Assessment (Defra)
  • Hedgerow Regulations and UK Habitat Classifi cation
  • Best Available Science in Traditional British Silviculture Rackham, Buckley, Evans, Matthews, Edlin, Marren
This ensures that nature-positive outcomes are scientifically defensible and internationally recognised.

4. How does biomass harvesting avoid damaging ecosystems?

The Standard restricts harvesting to low-impact, biodiversity-enhancing systems, including:
  • Coppice & coppice-with-standards
  • Pollarding
  • Rotational hedgerow cutting
  • Agroforestry pruning cycles
Harvesting regimes are designed to increase structural diversity, which is the key driver of woodland and hedgerow biodiversity in the UK.

5. Is there a risk that CLOC revenue could encourage over-harvesting?

No. Safeguards include:
  • Strict yield caps based on ecological carrying capacity
  • Independent verification under ISO 14064-3
  • Mandatory long-rotation elements ('standards') in coppice systems
  • Requirement for deadwood retention
  • Regular biodiversity-condition checks
  • Regulatory control processes relating to tree-felling
If ecological quality declines, CLOC issuance is paused until corrective actions are completed.

6. What biodiversity outcomes have been observed in systems like these?

Decades of ecological research show that:
  • Coppice systems can increase woodland plant diversity by 200–300%.
  • Rotational hedgerow management dramatically increases nesting birds and berries/mast.
  • Coppice-with-Standards agroforestry increases light penetration and species richness.
  • Deadwood retention supports >20% of woodland biodiversity (especially fungi, beetles, birds)
These findings are grounded in the works of Rackham, Peterken, Buckley, Evans, and others.

7. What if biodiversity indicators decline?

The Verification Guidance Document (VGD) requires verifiers to determine whether there is:
  • No loss (acceptable)
  • Net gain (expected)
  • Material decline (non-conformity)
In the event of decline:
  • 1. Corrective Action Plan imposed
  • 2. Time-bound remedial actions (3–12 months)
  • 3. Repeat field inspection
  • 4. CLOC issuance suspended until resolved
This ensures biodiversity is protected throughout the crediting period.

8. How is this different from typical nature-based carbon credits?

Key differences:
Typical Nature-Based Offsets

Biodiversity often optional

Biodiversity mandatory

Large monocultures common

No monocultures allowed

Carbon-first approach

Ecosystem-first approach

Weak verification

ISO 14064-3 verification

Global, generic rules

Specific, local standards

This is one of the few carbon-removal programmes globally where carbon and biodiversity are inseparable.

9. How does this support corporate nature strategies?

Purchasing CLOCs contributes to:
  • Science-based nature commitments
  • The Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) - aligned nature disclosures
  • SBTN (Science-Based Targets for Nature) pathways
  • EU and UK emerging nature-reporting rules
  • IUCN Nature-Based Solutions certification principles
This positions the acquisition of CLOCs as a high-quality, integrated climate–nature action.

10. How can buyers demonstrate biodiversity impact to stakeholders?

Clo Carbon Cymru provides:
  • Annual biodiversity reports
  • Before/after photopoints
  • Habitat-condition scores
  • Field-verification summaries
  • Maps of restored woodland, hedgerow, and agroforestry areas
These support:
  • ESG reporting
  • Sustainability reports
  • Investor communications
  • Storytelling, marketing and stakeholder engagement

References and Reading:

Linnard, W. (2000) Welsh Woods and Forests: A History. Llandysul: Gomer Press.

Peterken, G.F. (1981) Woodland Conservation and Management. London: Chapman & Hall.

Peterken, G.F. (1996) Natural Woodland: Ecology and Conservation in Northern Temperate Regions. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Rackham, O. (1980) Ancient Woodland: Its History, Vegetation and Uses in England. London: Edward Arnold.

Rackham, O. (1986) The History of the Countryside. London: J.M. Dent & Sons.

Rackham, O. (2003) Ancient Woodland (new edition). Colchester: Castlepoint Press.

Rackham, O. (2007) ‘Trees, Woodlands, and Archaeology’. Yale Agrarian Studies Colloquium Paper. Yale University.

Thomson, F.M.R. (2001) Review of Welsh Woods and Forests: A History, Agricultural History Review, 49(2).

Forestry Commission (2018) Managing Semi-Natural Woodlands in England. Forestry Commission, Edinburgh.

Woodland Trust (2022) Coppicing for Biodiversity: Guidance for Woodland Management.