EU Sets World’s First Voluntary Standard for Permanent Carbon Removals

Today, the European 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 European Union 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 new rules cover three types of permanent carbon removal activities, selected for their technological maturity and potential contribution to the EU’s climate objectives:

• Direct air capture with carbon storage (‘DACCS’)

• Biogenic emissions capture with carbon storage (‘BioCCS’)

• Biochar carbon removal (‘BCR’).

Wopke Hoekstra, European Commissioner for Climate, Net-Zero and Clean Growth stated, “The European Union is taking decisive action to lead the global effort in carbon removals. By establishing clear, robust voluntary standards, we are not only fostering responsible and climate action within Europe but also setting a global benchmark for others to follow. This a vital step toward achieving our climate neutrality targets and ensuring a sustainable future.”

With the certification framework and the governance rules now in place, carbon removal projects using DACCS, BioCCS, and biochar can start applying for EU certification. This marks the transition from rule-setting to action, allowing the first projects to be certified and recognised under the EU’s carbon removal framework in the coming months.

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A European Standard for Permanent Carbon Removals

The three methodologies adopted today set out clear legally grounded and voluntary rules for permanent carbon removals, defining what counts as a tonne of removal, how permanence must be ensured, and how the key risks such as leakages and liabilities are addressed. Together, they establish the European Union’s first comprehensive standard for permanent carbon removals, providing long-awaited clarity for companies and investors active in thin rapidly growing field.

By building on existing EU climate legislation, the certification framework ensures environmental integrity while keeping administrative complexity to a minimum.

Next Steps

The delegated Regulation will now be transmitted to the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union for a two-month scrutiny period, which may be extended by a further two months. In the absence of objections, it is expected to be published in the Official Journal in early April, with entry into force 20 days thereafter.

The Commission is finalising two additional delegated regulations for certification methodologies, with adoption expected in 2026:

• Carbon farming methodologies for activities such as agriculture and agroforestry, peatland rewetting and afforestation. These methodologies will help farmers and foresters get result-based payments, complementing their income and supporting them in the transition towards a more resilient production system.

• Methodologies for carbon storage in bio-based construction products, which will help building owners demonstrate the carbon-storage performance of their buildings, and encourage the construction sector to adopt circular-bioeconomy principles.

To kick-start the voluntary market for CRCF credits, the Commission announced the establishment of an EU Buyers’ Club for permanent removals and carbon farming under the new EU Bioeconomy Strategy. The Commission is exploring how best to catalyse both public and private finance and accelerate the deployment and scaling of carbon removal technologies. The European Innovation Council and the Innovation Fund also support innovative carbon removal projects.

Background

The CRCF Regulation (Regulation 2024/3012) creates the first EU-wide voluntary framework for certifying carbon removals, carbon farming and carbon storage in bio-based construction products across Europe. The Regulation is implemented through Delegated Acts that define certification methodologies for the different types of removal activities.

The adoption of the Delegated Act follows the adoption in November of the Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2358 setting out rules on certification schemes, bodies and audits under the CRCF.

Once the Delegated Acts enter into force, interested certification schemes will be able to apply for recognition by the Commission for one or more certification methodologies. The Commission will assess the schemes through a standardised assessment protocol (to be developed and published on Directorate-General for Climate Action (DG CLIMA) website), covering all the requirements set out in the Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2358 and in the relevant certification methodologies.

The methodologies established by the delegated regulation on permanent carbon removals were developed in close consultation with the Carbon Removal Expert Group. All documents shared with the expert group during the preparation of these methodologies, as well as recordings of the expert group meetings, are available on the European Commission website.

The requirements set out in the methodologies about the quantification, the permanence and the sustainability of the removals will help build trust and acceptance for responsible carbon removal practices. This is an imperative to drive investment into the carbon removal sector.