Extension of the rotation period

What it is and what it does

This forestry activity generates the most credits: the forest grows without cuts and the measurement is precise from the first years. What do you do:

1. 01Postpone the maturity cut planned by the plan
2. 02Allow the forest to grow for the 5-year period
3. 03Renew, if you wish, up to three times

Who can do it

In addition to the common requirements for all forestry activities (PEFC forest management certification, management plan, georeferenced boundaries: see requirements):

1. 01Minimum rotation period: reached.
2. 02Planned harvest: from the plan on the area in the current period, with the volume that would have been harvested.
3. 03Authorization: not required for harvesting, or formal waiver.
4. 04Harvests: the wood cut from all forests you manage does not increase due to the project.
5. 05Economic additionality: without the credits, the project you are undertaking must operate at a loss or yield less than the management set out in the plan, for example, from harvesting. A difference of even €1 is sufficient. This is demonstrated by a comparison between two economic plans, the project and the management without the project, which the certification body checks.

For how many years

What is measured and how often

Putting numbers to the credits

With European rules, from measured tonnes to credits, here is how:

1. 01Measured tonnes: the growth of the forest after the start, i.e., the difference between the carbon measured each year and that measured at the start.
2. 02− Measurement uncertainty: at least 8%.
3. 03− Activity emissions: usually negligible, because there are no construction sites; they are counted if you do thinning or care.
4. 04− Collective reserve: depends on the risk of fires, storms, and pests in the area.
5. 05= Credits: one per ton of CO2 equivalent, each with its code.

• Credits are valid until the end of maintenance obligations: the date is written in the certificate and in the register.
• Market reference: approximately 25-35 € per ton, the value of forest credits from the French Bas-Carbone Label (I4CE, January 2026).

Benefits for nature

Mature trees left standing longer are habitats for species linked to old-growth forest. Every project must bring a benefit to biodiversity, for example, trees left beyond maturity or habitat trees with cavities.

Typical errors and what it is not

1. 01If the plan does not provide for a cut in the period, there is nothing to postpone and the activity is not valid. It is also valid for every renewal.
2. 02Thinking you can no longer cut: the obligation is on the forest, not on individual trees. You cut, as long as the yield remains above the accredited carbon.

1. 01It is not lost wood: it is postponed wood.
2. 02It does not exclude public contributions: they are declared and entered into the economic comparison.

Relationship with PEFC Italia

As of today, there are no economic or other relationships between the two companies. Climate Standard has acquired the standard developed by PEFC Italia and is publicly available.

PEFC Italia establishes through the standard what can be certified and under what conditions. Climate Standard establishes how it is measured, calculated, and recorded, adhering to the provisions of PEFC Italia.

Climate Standard does not modify the parameters of the schemes established by PEFC Italia — eligible activities, risk rates, baseline assumptions: it applies and documents the application.

Climate Standard commits to communicating every operation based on the Standard to PEFC Italia (Section 14.6) and may request verification of Climate Standard's operations and project documentation at any time.

Documents

How much it costs

No commission on the sale of credits. Receive a written quote before starting.

Other activities

1. 01From coppice to high forest: Stop harvesting the coppice at the end of the rotation period and start it as high forest. Commitment: 30 years.↗
2. 02Partial waiver of cutting: leaving standing a part of the forest intended for cutting, of at least half a hectare. Commitment: up to 30 years.↗
3. 03Reforestation: replanting a forest lost due to fires, windthrow or storm damage, landslides, or pests. Commitment: 30 years.↗
4. 04Regeneration protection: Protect young plants from browsing by roe deer and deer. Commitment: 20 years.↗

Can you generate credits?

Tell us about your forest and what the management plan provides: we will tell you if it makes sense to start.