Gresham House, one of Scotland's largest landowners, has confirmed it uses Verra's Verified Carbon Standard for new woodland projects in Scotland, rather than the UK's Woodland Carbon Code. The decision follows criticism of Verra's methodologies for rainforest projects, though Gresham House says its projects generate removal credits from new forests, not avoidance credits. The company received £50m from the Scottish National Investment Bank, which expects the investment to sequester 1.2m tonnes of carbon over 20 years. Community Land Scotland questions the choice, citing greenwashing risks and land reform concerns. Gresham House argues Verra's global standard is more stable than the frequently revised WCC, making long-term planning easier. This case highlights the tension between domestic carbon certification and international voluntary markets, and whether public money should support projects that use standards with reputational baggage.
