The European Commission has announced the adoption of its inaugural set of voluntary certification methodologies for permanent carbon removals. This initiative aims to establish clear standards for carbon removal technologies, thereby facilitating certification and investment in projects that permanently remove CO2 from the atmosphere.
This development follows the adoption of the Carbon Farming and Carbon Removals (CRCF) Regulation in 2024. Initially proposed by the Commission in 2022, the regulation seeks to create the first EU-level certification framework for permanent carbon removals, carbon farming, and carbon storage in products. It also aims to establish a certification system to quantify, monitor, and verify carbon removals, countering greenwashing.
The new rules encompass three types of carbon removal activities: Direct Air Capture with Carbon Storage (DACCS), Biogenic Emissions Capture with Carbon Storage (BioCCS), and Biochar Carbon Removal (BCR). These technologies were selected by the Commission based on their technological maturity and potential contribution to the EU’s climate objectives.
The methodologies establish voluntary standards for carbon removals, including definitions for what constitutes a tonne of removal, how permanence must be ensured, and how key risks such as leakages and liabilities are managed.
The new delegated regulation will undergo a two-month scrutiny period by the European Parliament and Council. If there are no extensions or objections, it will be published in the EU’s Official Journal in early April and come into force 20 days later.
With these rules and the certification framework in place, DACCS, BioCCS, and biochar projects will be able to apply for EU certification, enabling the first projects to achieve certification in the coming months.
Wopke Hoekstra, European Commissioner for Climate, Net-Zero, and Clean Growth, stated, “The European Union is taking decisive action to lead the global effort in carbon removals. By establishing clear, robust voluntary standards, we are not only fostering responsible and climate action within Europe but also setting a global benchmark for others to follow.”
The industry has welcomed the new standard, with Christoph Gebald, CEO of DACCS-focused carbon removal provider Climeworks, describing it as “a new era for carbon removal in Europe.” He added, “By setting clear, enforceable rules for permanent carbon removals, the Commission is effectively de-risking the sector for investors and buyers alike. This isn’t just a regulatory update; it is the creation of a blueprint for a global carbon market.”
The Commission is also finalising two additional delegated regulations for certification methodologies, including carbon farming methodologies for activities such as agriculture, agroforestry, peatland rewetting, and afforestation, as well as for carbon storage in bio-based construction products, with adoption expected this year.
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