Skip to main content

Low Carbon Label

Low Carbon Label certified projects

Certification of the CO2 absorbed in our French forests

Carbon certification in France

What is the Low Carbon Label ?

Low Carbon label
Regulatory framework

A label created by the Ministry of Ecological and Solidarity Transition (MTES) by decree and order of 28 November 2018. 

CO2 Certification

Calculation methods validated by the MTES to measure the CO2 stored in trees, soils and wood.

Certification of co-benefits

Validation and measurment of environmental and socio-economic co-benefits by the Label.

An innovative and transparent framework for local, high-quality projects in France, with co-benefits

The principles of the Low Carbon Label

Several ways of calculating CO2
  • Above-ground and root biomass
  • Carbon contained in litter and soil
  • Calculation of CO2 in wood products
  • Substitution effect for materials and energies that emit more CO2 than wood
CO2 emission reductions delivered in advance over 30 years

The duration of the projects is 30 years, wich serves as the basis for calculating the CO2. Certification is issued in advance on the basis of tree growth calculations. 

Incorporating the risk of non-permanence

The calculation of sequestered and certified CO2 takes into account health risks (parasites, diseases), storms and any other uncontrollable hazards. A discount is applied from the outset to take account of these contingencies. 

Additionality principle

The project must go beyond legal and current obligations, and would not have been possible without private funding. 

Measuring environmental integrity
  • Socio-economic co-benefits (local forestry companies, certification, integration, etc.)
  • Co-benefits linked to soil preservation and biodiversity (species diversity, etc.)
  • Consideration of aquatic and rocky environments as appropriate
Allocation of emission reductions to the contributing company

Emission Reductions (the CO2 stored in the forest), once validated by a third party auditor 5 years after planting, are attributed to the contributing company for its carbon balance. 

3 types of forest carbon projects

Afforestation

Afforestation

This involves converting previously uncultivated or agricultural land into forest land by planting forest species.

 

Restoring degraded forests

Restoring degraded forests

Reforesting means restoring forests that have been damaged by storms, fire or dieback (parasitic attack, drought, etc.)

Conversion of coppice into high forest

Conversion of coppice into high forest

Converting "coppice", a stand system designed for firewood, into a "high forest" encourages the production of timber, thereby storing more carbon in the forest.

Our Low Carbon Label Projects

Current regions : 

  • Ile-de-France
  • Centre-Val-de-Loire
  • Pays de la Loire
  • Nouvelle-Aquitaine
  • Hauts-de-France
  • Bretagne

More regions to come, under development!

Sustainable development certification set to expand

The Label encourages good practice and implies sustainable forest management.

The ecosystem services provided by forests are an integral part of these projects, as is the carbon offsetting generated by these projects. 

Other methods linked to trees and agriculture have already been developed: Orchard planting, Hedge method. Other methods are due to be published shortly: Agroforestry, preventive forestry against the risk of fire, maintaining continuous cover in forests, etc. 

Whenever a tree is involved in a method, we'll be there to put it into action!

Reasons to choose us

Our services

Our approach is forestry and educational: we are very involved in the development of projects, and are keen to pass on project information, monitoring and numerous indicators of the co-benefits associated with forests.

Development of turnkey projects
Monitoring and control of execution
Transmission of information
Co-benefit indicators
Transmission of Emission Reductions (CO2)
Communication support
Carbon offsetting and biodiversity

We answer all your questions about the Low Carbon Label

Contact us