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 methods, additionality requirements, storage monitoring rules, and sustainability criteria
- Certification process through independent third-party verification by accredited certification bodies
- Governance system with certification schemes recognized by the European Commission and a Union registry to track certified carbon removal units
Key provisions include:
- Detailed methodologies for quantifying net carbon removal benefits and soil emission reductions
- Requirements for permanent carbon storage of several centuries and minimum 35-year storage for products
- Mandatory sustainability criteria including no significant environmental harm and biodiversity co-benefits for carbon farming
- Establishment of a Union registry by 2028 to ensure transparency and avoid double counting
- Recognition process for certification schemes and accreditation requirements for certification bodies
- Regular review and reporting requirements to ensure effectiveness
The Regulation is particularly relevant for activities like geological carbon storage, carbon farming practices, agroforestry, peatland restoration, and carbon storage in wood products. It aims to scale up carbon removals while maintaining high environmental standards and avoiding greenwashing.
