Developing carbon and ecosystem service markets

Driving innovation in carbon and ecosystem service markets

Soil Association Certification are at the forefront of developing and supporting innovation in carbon and ecosystem service markets.

With a proven track record in piloting and delivering robust validation and verification assessments, we help grow and shape these emerging markets. Our expert team designs tailored assessment protocols that meet Code criteria and align with ISO standards—ensuring credibility, transparency, and impact in natural capital methodologies

To find out more about or work, or to discuss a project with us please contact us.

Supporting the development of the UK Saltmarsh Carbon Code

Soil Association Certification led the delivery of the first pilot validation assessments of the UK Saltmarsh Carbon Code. The project, led by UKCEH and in collaboration across the charity, finance and academic sectors, aims to establish a UK Saltmarsh Carbon Code to scale up finance for saltmarsh restoration projects.

For the pilot validation assessment at RSPB Hesketh and RSPB Awre Soil Association Certification developed tailored assessment protocols and provided valuable insights into the Code’s auditability and practical implementation.

Development and training of the Wilder Carbon standard

Wilder Carbon, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kent Wildlife Trust, is a pioneering UK-based carbon standard that delivers verified carbon and biodiversity benefits through the restoration of native habitats using a minimal intervention, nature-led approach.

Soil Association Certification played a key role in the early implementation of the standard, designing robust assessment protocols and delivering the first two pathfinder validation assessments: Somerset Wildlife Trust’s 80-hectare wetland restoration of a former dairy farm in the Somerset Levels, and Kent Wildlife Trust’s rewilding of an abandoned golf course at Heather Corrie Vale in the Darenth Valley.

To further support the growth of the Wilder Carbon model, Soil Association Certification also developed and hosted training content for the Certified Trusted Deliverer programme — helping to build a network of skilled practitioners committed to high-integrity project delivery.

Entrade: Bringing integrity to nature markets

EnTrade operates high-integrity, two-sided nature markets that connect businesses and landholders to trade environmental services — including biodiversity gain and nutrient mitigation — from certified nature-based projects

Guided by the Environmental Markets Board and its robust governance framework, EnTrade aims to ensure that all environmental service trades are transparent, fair, and efficient.

To safeguard market integrity, Soil Association Certification delivers independent third-party assurance through an annual audit programme that assesses EnTrade’s compliance with the Environmental Market Rules. We also conduct assurance assessments against regional Market Opportunity Statements for each market round — helping to build trust, ensure compliance, and uphold market integrity.

Piloting biodiversity crediting for nature-based standards

Biodiversity credits offer an exciting opportunity to further scale-up and finance nature restoration through established UK carbon nature markets.

Soil Association Certification have worked alongside project partners at IUCN, Scottish Forestry, and SRUC to help shape a robust, auditable methodology for biodiversity crediting within the Woodland Carbon Code and UK Peatland Code.

Drawing on our validation and verification expertise, we carried out three on-site pilot assessments to support the development of key Code criteria. Our team provided detailed, practical feedback on the auditability of the methodology, including the use of diverse metrics and approaches for assessing biodiversity baselines across different habitat types.

This collaborative work is helping to lay the foundation for high-integrity biodiversity markets and strengthen the role of nature-based solutions in delivering real environmental impact.

Advancing whole-farm natural capital solutions

Soil Association Certification, in partnership with Soil Association Charity, Woodland Trust, and Finance Earth, explored the opportunities for natural capital projects at the whole-farm and farm-cluster scale.

Soil Association Certification developed a validation framework that brings together key elements from the Woodland Carbon Code, UK Peatland Code, and Agroforestry Code — with additional integration of hedgerow carbon.

This framework was tested through three on-site pilot validations, providing valuable insights into practical validation and verification approaches for whole-farm natural capital. Our work supports the creation of scalable, high-integrity nature-based solutions that deliver environmental and economic value for landowners and investors alike.