This Regulation establishes a voluntary Union certification framework for permanent carbon removals, carbon farming and carbon storage in products. It aims to facilitate and encourage high-quality carbon removals and soil emission reductions while ensuring environmental integrity and transparency.The Regulation creates a comprehensive framework with three main components:
- Quality criteria for carbon removal activities including quantification, additionality, storage monitoring and sustainability requirements
- Certification process through independent third-party verification
- Governance system with certification schemes recognized by the European Commission and a Union registry
Key provisions include:
- Detailed rules for quantifying net carbon removal benefits and soil emission reductions in an accurate and conservative manner
- Requirements for activities to be additional and go beyond standard practice
- Monitoring and liability mechanisms to ensure long-term carbon storage
- Minimum sustainability criteria and co-benefits, particularly for biodiversity
- Certification through accredited certification bodies and recognized certification schemes
- Establishment of a Union registry by 2028 to track certified units and avoid double counting
- Regular review and updates of methodologies based on scientific progress
The Regulation aims to support the EU’s climate neutrality objectives under the Paris Agreement while ensuring high environmental integrity standards and avoiding greenwashing. It provides a harmonized framework that can be used by both public and private certification schemes on a voluntary basis.
