Within the framework of the FUTURECORK project, coordinated by the Catalan Cork Institute Foundation (ICSuro), and with the participation of the Forestry Consortium of Catalonia, the foundations have been established to integrate climate credits into the management of cork forests.

The FUTURECORK project advances the recognition of the environmental and economic value of Mediterranean cork forests by developing innovative tools that allow the quantification and valorization of the ecosystem services generated by these forests. The project results reinforce the role of active forest management as a key ally in the face of climate change and as a driver of resilience for the cork sector.

One of the main milestones of the project has been the development of forest climate credits applied for the first time to cork forests. These instruments allow the measurement, certification and monetization of the contribution of forest management to climate change mitigation and adaptation, taking into account three key ecosystem services: carbon cycle regulation, water provision and biodiversity conservation.

In this area, the Forestry Consortium of Catalonia has played a prominent role, contributing to the adaptation of the methodology of the LIFE CLIMARK project to incorporate the Quercus suber, a species that until now was not included in carbon balance calculation systems. This contribution has allowed progress in the definition of specific multifunctional management models for Catalan cork oak forests.

As a pilot experience, within the framework of FUTURECORK, the first PROMACC has been developed focused on cork forests with cork potential. It has been promoted by the Forestry Consortium of Catalonia, seeking synergies with local actors such as the Alt Empordà Forest Owners Association. The project is located in this region and covers more than 15,000 hectares, with specific actions in 60.5 ha belonging to farms in the municipalities of Agullana, Darnius and Maçanet de Cabrenys. In these areas, a detailed forest diagnosis has been carried out and measures have been planned to improve carbon absorption capacity, biodiversity and resilience to fires.

At the same time, the project has placed a strong emphasis on dissemination. In this context, the Catalan Cork Institute and the Forestry Consortium of Catalonia have actively participated in the dissemination of the results, helping to explain the strategic value of cork forests and their role in the circular bioeconomy, beyond cork production. The dissemination material developed within the framework of FUTURECORK seeks to facilitate the creation of local climate credit markets and connect forest owners, companies and institutions interested in investing in local projects with a positive environmental impact.

Array