Discover how PEFC certification strengthens forestry carbon projects

31 July 2025 Driving innovation

We are pleased to announce the release of our new publication ‘How PEFC certification strengthens forestry carbon projects’. 

PEFC sustainable forest management certification adds value to forestry carbon projects and the credits they generate. It enhances carbon benefits, delivers valuable co-benefits, and supports the development and management of carbon projects - from risk mitigation to project monitoring. 

PEFC certification also helps demonstrate alignment in terms of environmental and social safeguard requirements with several carbon standards and facilitates market access for carbon credits issued from carbon projects implemented in PEFC-certified forests.  

This new document outlines these benefits to help PEFC-certified forest owners tap into new carbon markets and support carbon project developers and managers in promoting the value of PEFC certification within the carbon market.

The paper cites relevant requirements from the PEFC sustainable forest management standard, PEFC endorsed national standards, and scientific studies. It also includes valuable input provided by experts, including an ecosystem services standard owner, an auditor, carbon project developers such as Fransylva, and consultants. 

A look at the publication

The document highlights the key benefits that PEFC certification brings to a forestry carbon project, including: 

• Enhanced project development and management: Carbon projects implemented in PEFC-certified forests benefit from stronger management systems, streamlining project development and documentation.
• Strengthened carbon benefits: PEFC requirements are designed to contribute to increased carbon sequestration rates, strengthening of other carbon pools, and reduced emissions from forestry operations and natural disturbances.
• Delivery of valuable co-benefits: PEFC certification enhances carbon projects through the potential delivery of social and environmental co-benefits. A PEFC-certified forest that is sustainably managed can provide ecosystem services such as biodiversity protection, water filtration, worker health and safety, and community well-being. These co-benefits add value to carbon credits and are increasingly in demand. 
• Reduced risk and increased revenue: Holistic management practices in PEFC-certified forests can reduce risks and increase the number of carbon credits available for sale, boosting revenue for forest owners.
• Contribution to project monitoring: PEFC certification requires regular checks on forest health and vitality, backed by annual third-party audits to verify conformance. This provides ongoing assurance that key carbon standard requirements – like co-benefits and risk management – are being met. With carbon project audits often occurring only every five to ten years after the first verification audit, this is a particularly valuable feature.
• Facilitated market access for carbon credits: PEFC certification enhances the credibility and appeal of carbon credits, often leading to higher demand and, in some cases, higher prices.

The next steps

PEFC-certified entities are invited to download the publication and use it as a reference document for promoting the value of PEFC certification in their carbon projects. 

You are invited to contact standards@pefc.org for further information.