Lawmakers in the European Parliament have approved a new law aimed at establishing a certification system to oversee carbon removal efforts and combat greenwashing. The legislation, passed by a significant majority of 441-139 votes, represents a pivotal step in implementing a robust framework for carbon removal and soil emission reduction across the EU.
It seeks to bolster the use of carbon removal methods while safeguarding against deceptive environmental claims and fostering trust in the process. The initiative also aims to spur the advancement of carbon removal technologies and create economic opportunities for industries and land managers involved in deploying these solutions and innovative carbon farming practices.
Carbon removal techniques encompass a broad spectrum, ranging from industrial processes like Direct Air Capture to natural carbon sinks. Financing for these projects can originate from various sources such as carbon credits or government incentives, underscoring the necessity for a rigorous system to assess their efficacy and impact.
Originally proposed by the European Commission as part of the European Green Deal in 2022, the certification framework outlines stringent criteria to ensure the reliability and uniformity of carbon removal efforts. It mandates precise measurement of climate benefits, adherence to sustainability objectives, and linkage of certificates to the duration of carbon storage.
Despite initial critiques from environmental groups citing vagueness and susceptibility to greenwashing, subsequent negotiations between the EU Parliament and Council led to a refined framework that categorizes carbon removal activities and emphasizes liability mechanisms to address potential reversals.
Moreover, the legislation extends its purview to cover select carbon farming activities aimed at reducing emissions from agricultural soils. It introduces sustainability requirements to ensure co-benefits for biodiversity and ecosystems, underscoring the imperative to prevent adverse environmental impacts from all carbon removal endeavors.
Following the vote, rapporteur Lídia Pereira said:
I am very happy that the European Parliament has given its final green light to the Carbon Removal Certification Framework. I look forward to a future in which those who actively remove and store carbon get a proper incentive to do it. I am also thrilled to see that farmers can have an extra revenue stream for all their efforts!
With the adoption by Parliament completed, the new legislation will now need to be approved by member states in the EU Council before entering into force.
