Criticise Us

When you’re trying to change the world, even for the better, you’re going to upset a lot of people. Land ownership, and its current and future use, is a hugely polarising topic.

Get in touch

"Carbon units are greenwashing"

Carbon units are not a silver bullet for climate change. However, the work we do is real and has tangible benefits to nature by creating predominantly native woodland and enhancing biodiversity. Any money received from the sale of carbon credits is put back into our business and used to restore nature, enhance biodiversity and create habitats for endangered or native species.

"You shouldn't be taking all the land for trees, the UK needs more land for farming."

We also practice agroforestry. Planting trees doesn’t have to come at the expense of food production. Trees grow well in less productive soils. Well-designed and well-managed woodlands can also support the foundations of food production: healthy soil, cleaner water, and biodiverse ecosystems. We take a holistic approach to land management. Ref: https://defrafarming.blog.gov.uk/2022/08/09/tree-planting-and-food-production-a-joined-up-approach/

"Carbon credits allow businesses to keep on emitting CO2"

We form meaningful partnerships with businesses and are aware of the dangers of ‘greenwashing’.

When building a partnership or developing relationships with stakeholders, we ask ourselves the following questions:

  • Are our values aligned? We are continually reviewing our client ‘red list’ (weapons industry, aviation, extraction sector, entities tied to violations of human rights) to ensure that we are working with entities whose values align with our own.
  • Is the partner focussed on reducing their emissions first? There simply aren't enough carbon stores in the world to mitigate against climate change. Businesses need to recognise this and prioritise insetting over offsetting. This is when a company makes internal changes to its processes to reduce emissions. Therefore, before working with a partner we examine whether they are focused on emissions reductions and what steps they have taken to reduce their footprint.
  • Have they made a public commitment to net-zero by publishing their net-zero strategy or policy and progress reports against this?
  • Is the partner committed to learning and adopting the latest best practice advice/guidance?

"Climate change isn't real."

A 2021 study found a greater than 99 percent consensus on human-induced climate change in the peer-reviewed scientific literature (reviewed by experts in the same field prior to publication) - a level of certainty similar to that of the theory of evolution. Ref: https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/mythbusters There is unequivocal evidence that Earth is warming at an unprecedented rate. Human activity is the principal cause. Ref: https://science.nasa.gov/climate-change/

"Why plant in the UK where trees grow more slowly due to the cooler climate? Investment in faster-growing tropical forests would be much more effective at producing oxygen and absorbing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere."

There are many reasons why we plant in the UK. Currently the UK is one of the most biodiversity-depleted countries in the world. As well as absorbing carbon, sensitively planted woodlands create vital habitats for nature.
Reforestation is also essential in reducing natural disasters. Forests are known to help reduce flooding, along with improving air quality and reducing soil erosion. They also provide opportunities for people to reconnect with nature.
Currently, tree cover in the UK is far lower than its closest neighbours – just 13% compared to the European average of 38%. We want to help change that.

"Forestry and Peatland grants are given to landowners who then also benefit from the revenue from carbon credits. Isn't this just a way for the rich to get richer?"

Grants from the government are an incentive for landowners to make positive changes to the way they manage land - for nature and the climate. Carbon credits are a mechanism used to induce private finance to pay for change rather than the government. Grants are already being reduced as the voluntary carbon market begins to achieve the aim of paying for peatland restoration and tree planting. It is envisaged that within a decade restoration and tree planting will be significantly or wholly funded by the revenue from carbon credits.

Frequently asked questions

People are always curious about what we do, you can find answers to their most common questions listed below. If you can’t find an answer to a specific question please get in touch.

Ask us a question

Account Actions

How do I change my address?

You can easily update the address on your account. Log into your account, on the right click 'account details' and 'add new address'.

How do I view my previous orders?

You can log into your account and view your previous orders. On the homepage, press the person icon in the top right corner, sign in to your account and you will then be able to view all your previous orders.

Subscription

How do I manage my subscription?

To manage your ongoing monthly subscription, on the homepage. press the person icon in the top right corner. Sign in to your account and manage your subscription. You can pause, cancel or resume your subscription at any time.

Can I see if my order has been fulfilled?

You can view your order status by logging into your account, click the order number and view the order status. You can check if your order has been fulfilled. If you are experiencing any issues, please feel free to contact us and a member of our team will be happy to help.

How do I cancel my subscription?

We're sorry to hear that you need to cancel your subscription. You can cancel your ongoing subscription with us at any time. Please ensure that subscription cancellations are processed within 2 days of your subscription renewal date. To cancel an ongoing monthly subscription, please get in touch with a member of our team via the website 'contact us' page or by email hello@thefutureforestcompany.com

Returns & Refunds

Can I refund my order?

We have a 14-day cooling off policy, which means that you have the right to request a cancellation and refund within 14 days of receiving your order.

How do I refund my order?

To start a refund, you can contact us at hello@thefutureforestcompany.com

Tree Planting

Where do the saplings come from?

Where possible all trees we plant are from a local seed source with the right ‘provenance’, so are suitable for the land we are planting on. We currently partner with a number of local UK nurseries to source our trees; meaning we can be sure that our trees are healthy and responsibly grown here in the UK.

What are your tree shelters made of?

Tree shelters are often required to protect our freshly planted saplings from deer. Historically, tree shelters been made from plastic, we're on a mission to change that.​

Whenever possible we avoid using shelters. However, when they are required we're using Vigilis-Bio Biodegradable Tree Shelters, from Suregreen. The unique material used to make Vigilis-Bio is radically different from regular tree shelters. After a minimum of five years the Vigilis-Bio tree shelter is designed to start to break up, and as soon as particles and small fragments fall to the ground, where they come into contact with the soil, they will act as a food source for soil bacteria and micro-organisms, eventually being absorbed harmlessly into the natural environment.​​

We're also trialing NexGen Tree Shelters, they're predominantly made from British wool, together with some clever, innovative, bio-based chemistry reducing the environmental impact of plastic in our countryside.

I’ve heard that tree planting isn’t always good for the environment.

It’s true, tree planting isn’t always good. Planting the wrong species, planting monocultures, or planting on inappropriate land (deep peat, wildflower meadows, etc) can do more harm than good. That’s why we have our tree planting plans verified to ensure that we always plant the right tree in the right place.

Peatland

What was happening to the peat before it was restored?

Emissions from drained and eroding peatlands are estimated at 1.9 gigatonnes of CO2e annually. This is equivalent to 5% of global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, a disproportionate amount considering damaged peatlands cover just 0.3% of landmass. (IUCN) Draining peatlands reduces the quality of drinking water as water becomes polluted with organic carbon and pollutants historically absorbed within peat. Damage to peatlands also causes biodiversity loss and increases the risk of wildfires.

Carbon

We want to reduce our business' carbon footprint, we want to work with a good company but we don't know much about carbon, can you help?

Yes we are happy to help! We offer verified UK carbon credits with transparency, traceability and authenticity. We work closely with the Woodland Carbon Code and the Peatland Code to verify the carbon stored as a result of our projects. When looking to offset your carbon emissions, it is best to look for projects that can guarantee a level of permanence. If you'd like to learn more, our team are always happy to help. Get in touch: hello@thefutureforestcompany.com

What are PIUs?

Pending Issuance Units (PIUs) are forward-looking carbon credits issued for carbon sequestration projects under the Woodland Carbon Code and Peatland Code. They represent a promise of future carbon sequestration, verified under strict standards, and converted into Verified Carbon Units (VCUs) once the carbon is sequestered.

In essence, PIUs embody a commitment: over time, a specific area of forest or ecosystem will sequester a defined amount of carbon. They are forward-looking units of carbon, underpinned by rigorous verification processes.

How do PIUs Work?

  1. Issued at Project Start

PIUs are based on the estimated carbon sequestration expected over the project’s lifetime.

  1. Verified Over Time

As carbon is sequestered, PIUs mature into VCUs. This process is independently verified at regular milestones, typically every 10 years, ensuring transparency and credibility. At the Future Forest Company (FFC), all PIUs are registered on behalf of our clients through S&P Global’s IHS Markit Registry. This guarantees traceability, automatic retirement of units, and eligibility for use in carbon claims.

  1. A Long-Term Commitment

A blended vintage of PIUs spans decades, assuring buyers of sustained impact. The sale of PIUs provides upfront funding, enabling large-scale restoration and maintenance activities across forests and peatlands.

How do I know your PIUs are verified?

We put our Woodland and Peatland projects through the Woodland Carbon Code and Peatland Code, respectively, ensuring they meet the highest standards. These codes offer rigorous, science-based standards for measuring carbon sequestration, ensuring transparency and accountability.

  1. Credibility

PIUs issued under the WCC and PC offer buyers verified, trusted units that comply with international standards. These codes ensure projects deliver ecological and carbon benefits and are uniquely tailored to British ecosystems and regulatory frameworks.

  1. Biodiversity Co-Benefits

The WCC and PC prioritise biodiversity, making blended vintages of PIUs particularly appealing to organisations seeking to support nature-based solutions beyond traditional carbon offsetting.

Why choose a ‘blended vintage’ of PIUs over 100 years when purchasing units from FFC?

Traditional carbon offsetting often focuses on short-term goals, with credits representing a one-time impact. This approach can lack connection to sustained ecological or biodiversity benefits. Many projects narrowly target carbon metrics, overlooking broader ecological outcomes.

At the Future Forest Company, we offer a blended vintage of PIUs spanning a 100-year timeline, aligning carbon sequestration efforts with ecosystem needs. This approach provides unique benefits.

Ecosystems take time to recover and flourish. A 100-year commitment allows for:

  • Gradual biodiversity improvements.
  • Enhanced soil health and water retention.
  • Restoration of ecological balance.

A 100-year commitment ensures investment supports a range of ecological stages, creating a lasting legacy. Companies that embrace nature-based solutions can move beyond simply offsetting emissions to driving meaningful, sustained impact.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Receive stories and updates straight to your inbox.