EU agrees on the world’s first carbon removal certification scheme

      On 20 February, the Council and the EP agreed on a proposal to establish the world’s first registry for certified carbon dioxide removals obtained from eco-farming and industrial processes. The text – to be finalised in technical negotiations between the two – distinguishes between four types of carbon removal: (1) permanent removal such as direct air capture with Carbon Capture and Storage; (2) temporary storage in long-lasting products, such as wood-based construction, for a minimum of 35 years; (3) temporary storage from carbon farming, such as such as restoring forests and soil, wetland management, seagrass meadows; and (4) soil emission reductions from carbon farming, such as wetland management, no tilling and cover crop practises. The last two activities must last five years to be certified, while avoided deforestation projects – that is, projects that protects native forest in areas that would otherwise be cleared for crops or grassland – will not be eligible.

      These activities can be certified under EU rules provided they meet requirements on quantifiable net carbon removal or emission reduction benefits, over and above standard practice, long-term storage, and sustainability. The certification process for carbon removal activities will be authorised by independent third-party certifiers and then submitted to an EU-wide registry. The Council and the EP are expected to approve the legislation in April.