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What are carbon removals and carbon farming?
Carbon removalsInnovative processes that capture carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and store it durably in geological, terrestrial or marine reservoirs, or in long-lasting products.
Carbon farmingClimate-friendly practices implemented by farmers and foresters to enhance carbon sequestration - the process of capturing and storing CO2 emissions – in forests and soils, as well as reduce GHG emissions from soils.
As highlighted in the Sustainable Carbon Cycles Communication, carbon removals and carbon farming play a central role in achieving EU climate neutrality by extracting CO2 from the atmosphere and storing it safely and durably. By leveraging biological resources, scientific excellence and industrial prowess, carbon removals and carbon farming help decarbonise the EU economy, replace fossil-based materials with EU-grown bio-based alternatives, and strengthen the resilience of EU bio-based supply chains. They also contribute to a broader strategy to enhance competitiveness, improve geopolitical security, and achieve resource independence.
Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming (CRCF) Regulation
As a fundamental step to build trust in carbon removals and carbon farming while creating a competitive, sustainable and circular economy, the Commission adopted the Regulation (EU) 2024/3012 on Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming (CRCF). The CRCF Regulation created the first EU-wide voluntary certification framework for:
- permanent carbon removals
- carbon farming
- carbon storage in products
By establishing EU quality criteria and laying down monitoring and reporting processes, the CRCF Regulation will facilitate investment in innovative carbon removal technologies, as well as sustainable carbon farming solutions, while addressing greenwashing.
The CRCF Regulation mandates third-party verification of carbon removals and soil emission reductions, as well as the publication of certification-related information in an EU-wide registry. Certification schemes recognised by the Commission play a key role in verifying that activities comply with the requirements set out in the CRCF Regulation, as well as the related Delegated and Implementing Acts.
In November 2025, the Commission adopted the Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2358, laying down technical rules on certification schemes, certification bodies, and audits, to harmonise and streamline the certification processes while making it cost-effective yet robust. For instance, the Regulation allows for group certification for carbon farming, easing the administrative burden for small farmers and foresters.
Publications
- 05/04/2024 - FAQ
- 20/02/2024 - Press release: Commission welcomes political agreement on EU-wide certification scheme for carbon removals
- 30/11/2022 - Commission Proposal for a Regulation on an EU certification for carbon removals
- 30/11/2022 - Press release: Commission proposes certification of carbon removals
- 30/11/2022 - Factsheet on the certification on carbon removals
- 30/11/2022 - Impact Assessment (November 2022)
EU Expert Group on carbon removals
The Expert Group on carbon removals advises the Commission on the development of tailored EU certification methodologies. With around 70 members from different backgrounds, including national authorities, businesses, NGOs, and research institutions, it ensures broad representation of stakeholders. The Expert Group meets biannually in person and remotely, following Commission guidelines.