Reaching climate neutrality in Europe by mid-century requires minimising our greenhouse gas emissions and removing any unavoidable emissions from the atmosphere. Find out below how carbon removals and carbon farming can help the EU achieve its 2050 climate target.
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Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming in a nutshell
Innovative approaches to capture CO2, either from the atmosphere or directly from emission sources, and then store it in the long-term in reservoirs such as geological formations, forests, soil, or products.
Climate-friendly practices implemented by farmers and foresters to enhance carbon sequestration and storage in forests and soils, as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions from soils.
EU Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming Certification (CRCF) Regulation
On 10 April 2024, the European Parliament adopted the provisional agreement on the Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming (CRCF) Regulation, which created the first EU-wide voluntary framework for certifying carbon removals, carbon farming and carbon storage in products across Europe. 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.
Explore the sections below to learn more about the specific activities covered by the CRCF Regulation.
Permanent carbon removal refers to human activities removing CO2 from the atmosphere and storing it securely and durably for several centuries. Some examples include:
- Direct air carbon capture with storage (DACCS);
- Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) and other biomass-based methods (BioCCS);
- Chemically binding CO2 permanently into products;
- Other technological solutions that lead to permanent storage.
Related EU support & funding
- Horizon Europe: The Commission supports research, development and innovation for permanent carbon removal technologies mainly through Cluster 5 (Climate, Energy, and Mobility) of the Horizon Europe programme.
- European Innovation Council: The European Innovation Council supports breakthrough technologies at every stage, from early research to scale-up of start-ups and SMEs.
- Innovation Fund: The Innovation Fund is one of the world's largest funding programmes for the demonstration of innovative low-carbon technologies, including permanent carbon removals.
- State aid: EU countries may support carbon removal technology through state aid, subject to specific conditions outlined in the Commission’s Guidelines on State aid for climate, environmental protection and energy 2022.
Related publications
Carbon farming involves practices that enhance carbon sequestration and storage in forests and soils, or that reduce greenhouse gas emissions from soils. These practices include:
- Rewetting and restoring peatlands and wetlands to reduce carbon oxidation and increase carbon sequestration;
- Agroforestry and mixed farming, integrating trees or shrubs with crop and/or livestock management;
- Implementing soil protection measures like catch crops, cover crops, conservation tillage, and hedgerows;
- Reforestation respecting ecological principles for biodiversity and sustainable forest management;
- Improving fertiliser use efficiency to cut nitrous oxide emissions.
Carbon farming rewards farmers and foresters for implementing climate-friendly practices, complementing their income. By 2026, the Commission will assess whether to expand the scope of carbon farming to include greenhouse gas emission reductions from livestock activities.
Related EU support & funding
- Common Agricultural Policy: A key objective of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy is to mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing carbon sequestration. Funding for environmental objectives encourages carbon farming and aligns with climate-related legislation.
- Horizon Europe: The Commission supports research, development and innovation for carbon farming mainly through Horizon Europe, notably via Cluster 6 (Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment) and the EU Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe”. The CREDIBLE project organises regular Carbon Farming Summits to shape carbon farming markets and policies.
- LIFE Programme: The LIFE programme supports carbon farming projects like the LIFE Carbon Farming initiative, which encourages farmers to reduce their carbon footprint and increase carbon storage in vegetation and soils. Over six years, 700 farms across six European countries aim to achieve a 15% reduction in their carbon footprint by 2027.
- European Regional Development Fund: The European Regional Development Fund supports the €1.8 million transnational initiative Carbon Farming CE (2023-2026), alongside other carbon farming projects. It aims to promote and expand carbon farming pilots across central Europe through guides, business models, and monitoring. Nine countries and eleven partners are involved in the project.
Related publications
- 07/2023 - Review of certification methodologies for carbon farming
- 01/2021 - Technical handbook about guidance on implementing carbon farming in the EU
- 07/2020 - Study: Analytical Support for the Operationalisation of an EU Carbon Farming Initiative
Bio-based construction products like timber or agricultural crops offer significant potential for long-lasting storage of CO2. By promoting sustainably sourced bio-based materials and advanced construction techniques, we can create energy-efficient buildings that serve as carbon sinks. The revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive allows building owners to declare their structures’ carbon storage capacity on their Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). With the EU CRCF methodology, building owners will be able provide reliable and transparent evidence of their buildings' carbon storage capacity on their EPC.
Related EU support & funding
- Horizon EU: The Horizon Europe work programme for 2023-2024, specifically its Cluster 6 on bioeconomy, features a dedicated call (HORIZON-CL6-2024-CLIMATE-01-5) focusing on the climate-smart use of wood in the construction sector.
- New European Bauhaus (NEB): A priority within the NEB is the integration of long-term, life-cycle thinking in the industrial ecosystem. Emphasising the use of wood as a sustainable material for long-lasting products, the NEB aims to increase its market share in construction.
- Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking:CBE JU is a €2 billion partnership between the EU and the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) which funds projects advancing competitive circular bio-based industries under Horizon Europe, the EU’s research and innovation programme.
- European Bioeconomy Network:EuBioNet is an alliance of 150 EU-funded projects and initiatives dealing with Bioeconomy promotion, communication and support. The main goal is to maximise their efforts and increase the knowledge sharing, networking, mutual learning, and coordination of joint activities and events.
Related publications
The CRCF Regulation mandates third-party verification and the publication of certification-related information in an EU-wide registry and aims to streamline certification processes, making them cost-effective yet robust. It also introduces group certification, easing the burden for small farmers and foresters. Thanks to standardised baselines and remote sensing technologies, powered by the Copernicus satellite system, the Regulation will help cut measuring and reporting costs.
To ensure synergies with existing EU schemes, the certification process is largely based on the bioenergy certification rules under the Renewable Energy Directive since 2009, and includes the following steps:
- Participation in a certification scheme: Operators apply to a EU recognised scheme, submitting activity and monitoring plans.
- Certification audit: A certification body verifies the activity's compliance with EU criteria and methodologies, issuing a certificate of compliance.
- Recertification audit: Regular audits ensure the correct implementation of the activity and the generation of carbon removals or soil emission reductions.
- Certification registry: All certification information, including the quantity of certified units, is published in the CRCF registry (established by 2028). Until then, certification schemes will maintain their own registries.
To implement the CRCF regulation, the Commission will take the following steps:
- Adoption of EU certification methodologies: The Commission, with support from the Expert Group on Carbon Removals, will establish tailored EU certification methodologies for different carbon removal activities through delegated acts. These acts involve standard procedures, engaging the European Parliament, the Council, and broader stakeholders.
- Adoption of third-party verification rules: The Commission will issue implementing acts to set technical rules for third-party verification requirements, specifying procedures for certification schemes, certification bodies, and audit processes.
- Recognition of certification schemes: The Commission will approve certification schemes able to apply CRCF rules through Decisions, following a comprehensive assessment of governance, rules, and procedures, typically granting recognition for five years.
- 20/02/2024 - Provisional agreement on the CRCF
- 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 - Q&A Memo
- 30/11/2022 - Impact Assessment (November 2022)
- 07/02/2022 - Call for Evidence
- 15/12/2021 - Communication on Sustainable Carbon Cycles
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.