EU carbon rules / Regulations / Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming Certification Framework (CRCF)
In force Regulation Climate targets
Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming Certification Framework (CRCF)
Voluntary certification framework for permanent carbon removals, carbon farming and product carbon storage
- Reference
- Regulation (EU) 2024/3012
- Key date
- 2024
- Applies to
- Carbon removal project operators, certification bodies and verifiers
01
Who the regulation applies to
This regulation applies to:
- Operators or groups of operators carrying out permanent carbon removal, carbon farming or product carbon storage activities (including farmers, forest owners/managers, public bodies, etc.) — participation is voluntary and must meet the certification criteria for each activity type and be verified by an independent third party
- Certification bodies and certification schemes (must be recognised by the Commission before they can certify that activities meet the requirements of this Regulation and the associated delegated and implementing regulations)
- (Not applicable) Emissions within the scope of Directive 2003/87/EC (except, among others, the capture and storage of CO2 from biofuels, bioliquids and biomass fuels meeting the sustainability criteria)
This Regulation is a voluntary certification framework (not a framework of mandatory obligations) and applies to carbon removal and soil emission reduction activities carried out in the EU and verified by an independent third party.
The following provisions define its scope:
Article 1 — Subject matter and scope
1. The objective of this Regulation is to facilitate and encourage the deployment of permanent carbon removals, carbon farming and carbon storage in products by operators or groups of operators, as a complement to sustained emission reductions across all sectors to meet the objectives and targets laid down in Regulation (EU) 2021/1119. To that end, this Regulation establishes a voluntary Union framework for the certification of carbon removals and soil emission reductions by laying down:
(a)
quality criteria for activities that take place in the Union;
(b)
rules for the verification and certification of carbon removals and soil emission reductions generated by activities;
(c)
rules for the functioning and recognition by the Commission of certification schemes;
(d)
rules on the issuance and use of certified units.
2. This Regulation aims to support the achievement of the Union objectives under the Paris Agreement, in particular the collective achievement, at the latest by 2050, of the climate-neutrality objective laid down in Regulation (EU) 2021/1119. Accordingly, all carbon removals and soil emission reductions generated under this Regulation shall contribute to the achievement of the Union’s NDC and its climate objectives and not to third-party-NDCs or international compliance schemes.
3. This Regulation does not apply to emissions falling within the scope of Directive 2003/87/EC, with the exception of the capture and storage of CO2 emissions from biofuels, bioliquids and biomass fuels that meet the sustainability and greenhouse gas emissions saving criteria established under Article 29 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001, with any necessary adjustments for application under Directive 2003/87/EC, as set out in the implementing acts referred to in Article 14 of Directive 2003/87/EC, in accordance with Annex IV to Directive 2003/87/EC.
02
What the regulation requires
| Duty | Trigger | Evidence | Timing |
Meet the quality standards for carbon removal certification
Must meet quality criteria such as quantification, additionality, permanence, baseline calculation and avoidance of double counting. | Applying for carbon removal or carbon farming certification | Activity design document, baseline calculation and monitoring plan | Before certification |
Undergo independent third-party verification
Independent verification is required before certification to ensure data is true and reliable. | Applying for certification | Independent verification report | Before certification |
Avoid double counting of certified units
The use and cancellation of certified units must be traceable to avoid double claims. | Using or cancelling certified units | Registry records, certificates and cancellation receipts | At the time of use |
03
Key provisions
Article 1(1) — subject matter and voluntary certification framework
The objective of this Regulation is to facilitate and encourage the deployment of permanent carbon removals, carbon farming and carbon storage in products by operators or groups of operators, as a complement to sustained emission reductions across all sectors to meet the objectives and targets laid down in Regulation (EU) 2021/1119. To that end, this Regulation establishes a voluntary Union framework for the certification of carbon removals and soil emission reductions by laying down: (a) quality criteria for activities that take place in the Union; (b) rules for the verification and certification of carbon removals and soil emission reductions generated by activities; (c) rules for the functioning and recognition by the Commission of certification schemes; (d) rules on the issuance and use of certified units.
Article 3 — eligibility for certification
Carbon removals and soil emission reductions shall be eligible for certification under this Regulation where they meet both of the following conditions: (a) they are generated by an activity that complies with the quality criteria set out in Articles 4 to 7; (b) they are independently verified in accordance with Article 9.
Article 4(1) — quantified permanent net carbon removal benefit
A permanent carbon removal activity shall provide a permanent net carbon removal benefit, which shall be quantified using the following formula: permanent net carbon removal benefit = CRbaseline – CRtotal – GHGassociated > 0, where: (a) CRbaseline is the amount of carbon removals under the baseline; (b) CRtotal is the total amount of carbon removals of the activity; (c) GHGassociated is the increase in direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions over the entire lifecycle of the activity which are attributable to its implementation, including indirect land use change ...
04
Industry dossiers covering this regulation