Agriculture and forestry · Checklist

The CRCF provides voluntary certification for carbon farming and carbon removals; land-use and forestry emissions are accounted under LULUCF, and nutrient management is governed by the Nitrates Directive.

Tick items for internal review; triggers and thresholds depend on the entity, product classification and Member State application. See the industry dossier and follow the links for the legal source.

Industry-specific duties

Apply for carbon farming/carbon removal certification (CRCF) Certification schemes must meet quality criteria such as quantification, additionality, permanence and avoidance of double counting. Trigger:Applying for certification of carbon farming, permanent carbon removals or product carbon storage · Evidence:Activity design document, baseline, monitoring plan and independent third-party verification · Timing:Voluntary from 2024 Source:Reg (EU) 2024/3012
Land use and forestry greenhouse gas accounting (LULUCF) Carbon sinks/emissions from agricultural and forestry land use are included in Member States' LULUCF accounting. Trigger:Operating agricultural, forestry or other land use (aggregated through Member State accounting) · Evidence:Ledger of land use and carbon stock changes · Timing:2021–2030 accounting period Source:Reg (EU) 2018/841 (as amended by Reg (EU) 2023/839)
Prevention and control of nitrate pollution Comply with limits on fertiliser and manure application in nitrate vulnerable zones and establish action programmes. Trigger:Agricultural land located in nitrate vulnerable zones · Evidence:Fertiliser records; compliant manure storage and application · Timing:Ongoing Source:Directive 91/676/EEC
Sustainable sourcing and product carbon footprint data Provide product carbon footprint and sustainable sourcing data to food processing and retail customers. Trigger:Requests from customers (CSRD/ESPR supply chains) · Evidence:Product carbon footprint (PEF/GHG Protocol) data · Timing:Ongoing Source:Market requirement (linked to the CSRD/ESPR)

Duties by regulation

Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming Certification Framework (CRCF) Regulation (EU) 2024/3012 In force Key date:2024

Meet the quality standards for carbon removal certification Must meet quality criteria such as quantification, additionality, permanence, baseline calculation and avoidance of double counting. Trigger:Applying for carbon removal or carbon farming certification · Evidence:Activity design document, baseline calculation and monitoring plan · Timing:Before certification
Undergo independent third-party verification Independent verification is required before certification to ensure data is true and reliable. Trigger:Applying for certification · Evidence:Independent verification report · Timing:Before certification
Avoid double counting of certified units The use and cancellation of certified units must be traceable to avoid double claims. Trigger:Using or cancelling certified units · Evidence:Registry records, certificates and cancellation receipts · Timing:At the time of use

LULUCF Amendment Regulation (EU) 2023/839 In force Key date:2023

Account for carbon sinks in the land use sector Forest land, cropland and other land must be counted as sinks/emissions; Member States are responsible for accounting. Trigger:Land use, forestry or agricultural operations · Evidence:Land use accounting data · Timing:2021–2030

Nitrates Directive Directive 91/676/EEC In force Key date:1991

Implement action programmes in vulnerable zones Draw up and implement mandatory action programmes for designated nitrate vulnerable zones. Trigger:Located in a nitrate vulnerable zone · Evidence:Action programme, fertilisation and livestock housing records · Timing:Within 2 years of designation
Comply with fertiliser application limits and closed periods Limit organic and chemical nitrogen fertiliser application and observe prohibited application periods. Trigger:Agricultural fertilisation activities · Evidence:Fertilisation records, livestock housing capacity evidence · Timing:Ongoing

European Climate Law Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 In force Key date:2021

Align with the EU 2030/2050 target pathway The EU as a whole is to achieve a 55% net reduction by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050; companies are indirectly bound through Member State policies. Trigger:Operating in the EU or exporting to the EU · Evidence:Member State NECPs, sector transition pathways · Timing:Ongoing

Basis: Industry and regulation duty entries compiled by this site; source numbers checked against CELLAR. This page is a compliance guide; the official text and the competent authority's interpretation prevail. Entries marked "under consideration" or "draft" may change.

Agriculture and forestry · Checklist

Industry-specific duties

Duties by regulation

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