EU sets voluntary standard for permanent carbon removals

The European Commission has set out what they claim to be the world's first standards for permanent carbon removal. Announced last week, the new rules cover direct air capture with carbon storage (DACCS), biogenic emissions capture with carbon storage (BioCCS) and Biochar carbon removal.

The Commission has created the three methodologies which it says are clear, legally grounded, and voluntary rules for permanent carbon removal. These include defining what counts as a tonne of removal, how permanence must be ensured, and how the key risks such as leakages and liabilities are addressed[i].

Together the rules, which sit under the EU’s Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming (CRCF) certification framework[ii], establish the European Union’s first comprehensive standard for permanent carbon removals, providing clarity for companies and investors operating in the carbon removal space.

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. This a vital step toward achieving our climate neutrality targets and ensuring a sustainable future.”[iii]

Next steps

The delegated Regulation will now be transmitted to the European Parliament and the Council of the EU for a two-month scrutiny period, which may be extended by a further two months. In the absence of objections, it is expected to be published in the Official Journal in early April, with entry into force 20 days thereafter.

Further, with the governance rules and certification framework now in place, those operating DACCs, BioCCs, and biochar projects can start applying for EU certification. It marks the transition from rule-setting to action, allowing the first projects to be certified and recognised under the EU’s carbon removal framework in the coming months.

The Commission is also finalising two additional delegated regulations for certification methodologies, with adoption expected in 2026. These are:

·         Carbon farming methodologies for activities such as agriculture and agroforestry, peatland rewetting and afforestation. These methodologies will help farmers and foresters get result-based payments, complementing their income and supporting them in the transition towards a more resilient production system.

·         Methodologies for carbon storage in bio-based construction products, which will help building owners demonstrate the carbon-storage performance of their buildings, and encourage the construction sector to adopt circular-bioeconomy principles.

 

References

[i] EU sets world’s first voluntary standard for permanent carbon removals - Climate Action

[ii] Regulation - EU - 2024/3012 - EN - EUR-Lex

[iii] EU sets world’s first voluntary standard for permanent carbon removals - Climate Action

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