Săcele Climate Forest

Brasov, Romania

The Săcele Climate Forest Project aims to enhance forest resilience and biodiversity while increasing long-term carbon storage in standing biomass. The project generates measurable climate and ecosystem services primarily through a reduction in harvesting volumes, enabling additional carbon accumulation and strengthened ecosystem stability. It is implemented under the Climate Forest Romania methodology and complies with ISO 14064-2:2019, ensuring transparent monitoring and reporting of greenhouse gas removals. Located in Săcele, Brașov County, within the Piatra Mare and Ciucaș Mountains of the Southern Carpathians, the project covers 6,676.70 hectares of forest owned by Săcele Town Hall. The forests have a documented management history dating back to 1852, with structured forest management plans in place since 1900 and continuous 10-year management plans, cycles maintained to this day (current plan valid until 2028). The project area spans altitudes between 400 and 1,800 meters and consists mainly of mixed conifer–beech forests (58%), pure beech (26%), pure spruce (7%), pure fir (6%), and other species (3%). Natural forests represent 81% of the area. By combining long-standing sustainable forestry with reduced harvesting, the project increases verified carbon removals while safeguarding the ecological integrity of Carpathian forest ecosystems.