Klimaskovfonden – Bækgård Forestry

The project is one of several new forests in Denmark provided and supported by the Climate Forest Fund. A total of 98,423 trees are expected to be planted over the next 60 years. The forest is accredited under the Danish Climate Forest Fund’s (Den Danske Klimaskovfond – KSF) Standard, which sets the first Danish framework for nature-based carbon projects contributing to national climate efforts. The associated credits are an example of contribution credits, or those that can be used to mitigate climate impacts outside a company or organisation’s own value chain.

Aiming to ensure robust and climate resilient afforestation projects, this forest will contribute to the national climate targets, having a significant potential to contribute with co-benefits related to biodiversity, groundwater protection, water environment, recreational values, cultural heritage and climate adaptation.

"It is a victory for nature and biodiversity that we can plant a new large forest in Denmark's outdoor capital and ensure more nature for the benefit of both animals, plants and everyone who lives in the municipality as part of the green transition."
-Rune Kristensen, Chairman of the Climate and Environment Committee in Silkeborg Municipality

• The project issues ex-ante credits
• KSF employs sustainable forest management practices and incorporates mixed forests with a minimum of three tree species per plot of land; this practice reduces the forest’s vulnerability to diseases and pests. 
• The forest area is considered protected under the Danish Forest Act, which mandates that a continuous forest cover must be maintained in order for these efforts to be counted towards any Danish climate efforts.
• Trees are planted in various planting arrangements to ensure species diversity, protect against diseases, and reduce potential storm damage. 
• The project is reforesting former agricultural land. This is beneficial to improve the groundwater quality, prevent soil erosion, and improve the overall soil health of the project area. These are vital ecosystem services.
• The project will prevent the use of fertilisers and pesticides. This will be particularly beneficial for the local coastal area (Lovns Bredning) that receives water drainage from the project area.
• The landowners receive about 80% of the revenue from the sale of the carbon credits.
• The project adheres to the Danish Labour Laws and union agreements that require the project to support ongoing education and skill development of the employees.
• The project is certified under their own standard: Contributions to the Danish Climate Effort Through Nature Based Projects. In order for the landowners to join the project, they must pass a third party validation.
• The ownership of the land and project management by Silkeborg Kommune ensures the long term stability of the project. It also ensures that the project adheres to Danish environmental and human rights laws.

Klimaskovfonden, or KSF, is a national fund supporting the establishment of new forests in Denmark. Carbon removed through forest projects is sold as mitigation contribution credits (BVCM) to companies, organisations, and individuals who wish to contribute to the Danish climate effort. Carbon finance generated from the sale of contribution credits is reinvested in new forest projects.

The forest in Silkeborg is open to the public and will improve, protect, and enrich the experience of the hikers passing through on the historical hiking route Hærvejen.

The forest is accredited under the Danish Climate Forest Fund’s (Den Danske Klimaskovfond – KSF) Standard, which sets the first Danish framework for nature-based carbon projects contributing to national climate efforts. This standard aligns with the best international practices for voluntary carbon market certification. The standard has a high focus securing additionality and permanence of the climate projects.  

Credibility and transparency are of great importance to the Climate Forest Fund, which is why all projects are listed in the KSF publicly accessible registry, and all projects will be continuously verified and validated by independent third parties. The assessments of the projects will be available on the KSF register.

The project is adjacent to the future Nature National Park Kompedal, a priority conservation area that is expected to contribute to the EU's target of 30% protected areas. In 2024, Bækgaard Climate Forest underwent independent third-party validation, reaffirming that it meets KSF’s mandatory forest criteria. This certification supports the development of a climate-resilient forest and enables future near-natural forest management.

The forest is in an area where the protection of drinking water resources is a high priority. Therefore, utilisation of pesticides or fertilisers are not allowed. In addition, the forests must comply with the Danish Forest Act to ensure permanence.