The European Commission is currently working on the first EU-wide voluntary framework for the certification of high-quality carbon removals. This week the next steps in the development of the certification methodologies were made.

Jasmijn Sybenga

DG CLIMA of the European Commission organised two online workshops to facilitate in-depth discussions on the draft elements for carbon removal certification methodologies for soil carbon. The busy workshops were supported by CRETA, a collaboration between Wageningen Environmental Research and Partners for Innovation to provide technical assistance to the carbon removals expert group.

The certification framework will boost innovative carbon removal technologies and carbon farming which contribute to the EU’s climate, environmental and zero-pollution goals.

The discussions in the first workshop focused on the draft elements for a carbon removals certification methodology for soil carbon in mineral soils and agro-forestry. In the second workshop the discussions were about the draft elements for a carbon removals certification methodology for planting of trees on unused and severely degraded land.

Both workshops concentrated on the criteria ‘quantification’ and ‘sustainability’ and included the feedback that was received after the 5th Expert Group meeting in October 2024.

Breakout room sessions during the meetings provided plenty of opportunities to discuss topics like:

• Rewarding front-runners in agro-forestry practice
• Guidance on soil sampling and how to use remote sensing quantification of the activity-specific baseline
• Mandatory co-benefits for the protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems.

Next steps for the development of the framework include:

• Further integration of feedback
• Meetings and workshops at the beginning of 2025 including the topics: fertiliser emissions, standardised baselines, validation of quantification approaches peatland methodology, liability rules
• Online meeting of the Expert Group (April 2025)
• Finalisation of the Delegated Act (May 2025)
• Final Expert Group meeting (September 2025)

Curious?

This is the sixth blog on Carbon Removal 

• The first blog is about Best practices in natural CO2 removal 
• The second blog is about the fight against climate change  
• The third blog goes deeper into the benefits of nature-based processes  
• The fourth blog is about certification. 
• The fifth blog is about the need for one European certification scheme

In addition to our contribution to certifying carbon removals in natural processes, Partners for Innovation is also involved in the certification of long-term biobased carbon storage in buildings.

Visit our page on nature-based carbon removal.