The management of Mediterranean forests has become an urgent challenge in the context of climate change. Drought episodes, biodiversity loss and an ever-higher wildfire risk are forcing us to rethink how we care for our forests and how we can guarantee their resilience. Against this background, the Generalitat de Catalunya presented the Catalan Forest Climate Credits System (SCCFC), an innovative mechanism intended to mobilise private finance to drive more sustainable and multifunctional forest management. Minister Paneque: «Resources must be mobilised… – Govern.cat. As reported by the Departament de Territori (Catalan Ministry of Territory), the LIVE CLIMARK4SOCIETY project will give continuity to the methodology of the LIVE CLIMARK project Life Climark
SCCFC – What the climate credits are
The SCCFC climate credits are units that represent real environmental improvements achieved in a forest through improved forest management. They are not tonnes of CO₂, nor a mere carbon offset, but a multifunctional system that gives value to a range of forest ecosystem services.
These credits are neither aid nor subsidies, but a mechanism enabling companies to invest responsibly in projects that generate verified environmental benefits. It is, ultimately, a way of attracting private resources to complement public funding and to give continuity to forest management across the territory.
Actions that generate SCCFC
The improvements that can give rise to climate credits are planned and justified forest management actions, such as:
- Smart understorey clearing
- Improvement of habitats and forest structures
- Restoration of degraded areas
- Ecohydrological silviculture
- Actions to reduce wildfire risk
These practices strengthen the capacity of Mediterranean forests to face climate change and to improve key elements such as:
- Biodiversity
- Soil health
- Water retention and management capacity
- The ecological resilience of the forest
- The reduction of the risk of large wildfires
Unlike carbon-based credits, the SCCFC measure integrated impacts, such as habitat improvement points, reduced fire risk or increased ecological resilience.
Strict guarantee and verification
An essential element of the system is independent verification. Over several years, external teams or specialist technicians check that the environmental improvements are real, measurable and maintained over time. If the criteria are not met, no credits are generated.
This transparency seeks to prevent any form of greenwashing and to give the system full credibility.
Purpose and use of the SCCFC
Once validated, the SCCFC credits are registered and made available to companies. They can buy them in order to:
- Contribute to nature-based solutions
- Meet environmental and sustainability (ESG) objectives
- Support forest management across the territory
- Take part in conservation projects with social impact
The money raised goes directly to forest managers and owners, to fund present and future actions, as well as to keep forests in good condition and to meet costs that the sector often cannot bear with public resources alone.
The role of the LIFE CLIMARK4SOCIETY project
As part of the presentation of the SCCFC, the Government of the Generalitat also announced that the European Union has selected the LIFE CLIMARK4SOCIETY project, coordinated by the Centre de la Propietat Forestal (Catalan Forest Ownership Centre), to strengthen and consolidate this system. The project, with a budget of almost 2.2 million euros (60% funded by the EU), aims to incorporate:
- Social elements within the credits, such as the dignification of forestry work
- A governance framework integrating public administrations and the private sector
- New improved-management practices adapted to Mediterranean conditions
The planned actions include smart clearing, ecohydrological silviculture and restoration projects.
SCCFC – An instrument to transform the future of forests
The SCCFC represents a paradigm shift, moving from seeing forests as a cost to understanding them as an essential investment. With this model, the Generalitat aims to promote active forest management that strengthens the health of ecosystems while making it possible to attract private finance to guarantee its long-term sustainability.
In a context where pressure on Mediterranean forests keeps growing, forest climate credits can become a key tool to protect the territory, revitalise rural areas and move towards a more resilient and environmentally responsible society.
At auma auma we offer support to those organisations and forest owners wishing to take part in the climate credits system (SCCFC), providing technical advice and planning of the forest management improvements needed to generate them.