Carbon removal has been a notoriously unreliable science. Technological and ecological carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) methods have fallen short of expectations. This often leaves companies using offsets or credits generated by such projects in a difficult position when the underlying methodologies prove to be ineffective. However, the EU is looking to strengthen the CCS industry with new voluntary carbon removal and carbon farming methodologies. This will allow CCS projects to receive certification from the EU government, boosting consumer confidence and reducing greenwashing risk. The European Commission states in its press release:
“Today, the Commission adopted the first set of methodologies under the carbon removals and carbon farming (CRCF) Regulation to certify activities that permanently remove CO2 from the atmosphere. By adopting these first voluntary certification methodologies, the EU is setting clear rules and creating new opportunities for climate innovation, investments in carbon removal technologies and addressing greenwashing. This milestone positions the European Union as a global leader in carbon removals, helping to create an emerging market for both innovative start-ups and a major EU bioeconomy while supporting the EU’s objective of becoming climate-neutral by 2050.”
The methodologies cover three different types of permanent carbon removals: Direct air capture with carbon storage (DACCS), biogentic emissions capture with carbon storage (BioCCS), and biochar carbon removal (BCR). The new framework is being adopted through a delegated regulation. It now goes to the Parliament and Council for a two-month waiting period before becoming official EU policy.
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