The Carbon Removal Certification Framework (CRCF), recently introduced by the European Union, is set to better define how we measure, verify, and value carbon removals. For businesses, policymakers, and farmers alike, it’s a long-overdue step toward clarity, credibility, and accountability in the carbon economy. For those of us in the soil carbon monitoring space, it’s an opportunity to finally cut through the noise of unverifiable claims and establish a standard that rewards real impact.
For years, carbon removals have lived in a gray zone. Companies pledged to “go net-zero,” carbon credits were bought and sold, but the actual impact was often unverifiable. The lack of standardized measurement methods, transparency, and accountability left the door wide open for greenwashing. The CRCF aims to change that by introducing third-party verification and an EU-wide certification registry. Carbon removals will now follow a structured, transparent process where claims must be measured, audited, and recorded. This is good news for companies investing in genuine sustainability efforts—and even better news for farmers, foresters, and landowners who can finally get real recognition (and financial incentives) for their role in climate action.
But the real game-changer? Group certification. For the first time, small farmers and foresters can join forces and certify their carbon removals collectively. No longer do they have to bear the high costs and administrative burdens alone as they will be able to participate in the carbon economy in a way that makes financial sense. And with the integration of Earth Observation technology, measuring and reporting soil carbon levels will become faster, cheaper, and more reliable than ever before.
To help stakeholders navigate the transition, CinSOIL is hosting a live webinar on February 27th 2025. We’ll be breaking down:
– How the certification process works (in practical terms);
– What farmers and agrifood businesses need to do now;
– How to integrate satellite-powered MRV into your CRCF strategy.
Reserve your free spot now here!
The certification process is built on four steps:
1. Joining a certification scheme (because not all removals qualify).
2. Undergoing an audit by an accredited third-party verifier;
3. Getting re-certified periodically to ensure long-term integrity;
4. Being registered in the EU database, ensuring full transparency.
The EU Commission is rolling out CRCF in three phases. First, they’ll work with an expert group of 70+ specialists to develop tailored certification methodologies for different carbon removal activities. Then, they’ll define technical rules for third-party verification, closing loopholes that allow for unverifiable claims. Finally, after evaluating governance and procedural integrity, they’ll start approving certification schemes that align with CRCF standards. In short? No more shortcuts. No more vague pledges. No more carbon removal claims without hard proof.
What will be the role of Carbon Farming in this new landscape cannot be understated. Carbon farming has long been touted as a solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions while improving soil health, increasing food security, and stabilizing farm incomes. But until now, it’s lacked a regulatory structure that makes it scalable and financially viable. With CRCF, we’re looking at a future where carbon farming becomes an integrated part of the agri-food supply chain, rather than an experimental side project. Farmers and agribusinesses will be able to monetize their carbon removals with confidence, knowing that their efforts meet EU standards, and regenerative agriculture will no longer just be considered a vague “nice to have” badge, but it becomes a measurable, reportable, and certifiable asset. In other words, doing things right. And with the EU’s Directorate-General for Climate Action already commissioning studies to explore policy options beyond 2030, it’s clear that carbon farming is not a passing trend but rather the foundation of a climate-smart agricultural future.
At CinSOIL, we are building the tools to make this transition possible and are active with projects like Credible, co-chairing the focus group on the role of Earth Observation for credible carbon farming MRV tools. Whether you’re a farmer measuring soil carbon, a business tracking Scope 3 emissions, or a third-party auditor verifying removals, the solutions we are building can provide real-time, evidence-based insights that make compliance easier and more transparent. If you want to know more, feel free to register to our upcoming free online workshop or directly reach out. Let’s bring more carbon where it belongs: #inSOIL.
[…] tech-driven carbon monitoring solutions is stronger than ever. As we started advertising our upcoming free online workshop on the new CRCF and tackling Scope 3 emissions with Carbon Farming, the discussions we had with agrifood leaders reinforced the feeling urgency of making […]