The 5th EU Carbon Removals Expert Group meeting, held from October 21-23, 2024, provided crucial updates on the development of EU certification methodologies for carbon removals, carbon farming, and carbon storage in products. This three-day event offered valuable insights into the progress of the Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming Certification (CRCF) Regulation. This meeting marks a significant step forward in the development of robust certification methodologies for carbon removal activities in the EU. The discussions and draft elements presented will play a crucial role in shaping the implementation of the CRCF Regulation.
For those interested in accessing the presentations and webinar recordings, they are available on the European Commission’s Climate Action website. Here we provide a short overview of the topics discussed. We encourage all interested parties to explore the available presentations and webinar recordings to gain a deeper understanding of the proposed methodologies and their implications for the future of carbon removal activities in the EU.
Day 1: Permanent Carbon Removals
The first day focused on permanent carbon removal technologies, including Direct Air Carbon Capture and Storage (DACCS), Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BioCCS), and biochar. Chris Malins from Cerulogy presented draft elements of the EU certification methodology for these technologies. Key points discussed included:
- Permanence requirements for carbon storage
- Standardized baselines for carbon removal activities
- Quantification methods for emissions and removals
- Sustainability criteria for biomass feedstocks
Day 2: Carbon Farming
The second day delved into carbon farming practices, covering agriculture, peatland restoration, and forestry. Presentations by Jan Peter Lesschen from CRETA and Ivan Martinez from DG CLIMA outlined draft elements of EU certification methodologies for these sectors. Highlights included:
- Standardized baselines for soil carbon and nitrous oxide quantification
- Risk assessments for carbon reversals in forestry projects
- Methodologies for peatland rewetting and restoration
- Integration of emission reductions from fertilizer use
Day 3: Carbon Storage in Buildings and Verification Rules
The final day addressed long-lasting biogenic carbon storage in buildings and rules for third-party verification. Sevim Aktas from DG CLIMA and Sinead O’Keeffe from CRETA presented draft elements of the EU certification methodology for carbon storage in buildings. Key topics covered:
- Quantification methods for carbon storage in building materials
- Verification and certification processes
- Updates on the VERTA project for third-party verification rules
Overall, this expert group meeting underscores the EU’s commitment to developing a comprehensive framework for carbon removal certification. The progress made in defining methodologies for various carbon removal activities will be instrumental in achieving the EU’s climate neutrality goals. As the CRCF Regulation moves closer to implementation, it is crucial for stakeholders in the carbon removal and farming sectors to stay informed and engaged with these developments.
The detailed discussions on technical aspects of carbon removal quantification, permanence, and verification highlight the complexity of creating a robust certification system. However, they also demonstrate the EU’s dedication to ensuring the integrity and effectiveness of its carbon removal efforts.
As we at CinSOIL continue to monitor these developments, we recognize the potential impact of these methodologies on soil carbon sequestration practices and their certification. The evolving framework presents both challenges and opportunities for innovators and practitioners in the field of carbon farming and removal technologies. We are closely following these updates and their potential impact on soil carbon sequestration practices and certification.