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Adopted text

Union certification framework for carbon removals

TA-9-2023-0402 · P9_TA(2023)0402 · PE745.292

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Parliament's amended version of the proposed regulation establishes a voluntary Union certification framework for carbon removals, carbon farming and carbon storage in products. It lays down quality criteria, verification and certification rules, and rules on the issuance and use of certified units. It sets separate definitions and quantification formulas for permanent carbon removals, carbon farming sequestration, carbon farming emission reductions and carbon storage in products. It requires additionality, monitoring, liability mechanisms for reversals, and minimum sustainability requirements, including no negative effect on food security. It requires independent third-party auditing, accreditation of certification bodies, recognised certification schemes, and a public Union registry. It empowers the Commission to adopt delegated acts establishing certification methodologies and to report on Union targets for permanent carbon removals and land-based sequestration.

Key points

  1. The framework is voluntary and covers carbon removals, carbon farming and carbon storage in products, as a complement to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
  2. It does not apply to emissions falling within Directive 2003/87/EC, except storage of carbon dioxide from sustainable biomass that is zero-rated under that directive.
  3. It may apply to carbon captured in the Union but geologically stored in an EEA member or a bordering third country that applies the same legal requirements as Directive 2009/31/EC.
  4. It defines permanent carbon storage as storage for several centuries through geological storage of CO2 or permanently bound carbon mineralisation.
  5. It defines carbon farming as land, coastal or animal husbandry activities resulting in carbon farming sequestration or emission reductions for at least five years.
  6. It defines carbon storage in products as long-term storage of atmospheric and biogenic carbon in long-lasting harvested wood products or construction materials for at least five decades.
  7. It requires activities to be additional, going beyond statutory requirements at the level of the individual operator and needing the incentive effect of certification.
  8. It requires operators to monitor and mitigate reversal risks, designate a liable person, and suspend or cancel units if a reversal is not addressed.
  9. It requires carbon farming activities to generate co-benefits for biodiversity and not to negatively affect food security, land grabbing or land speculation.
  10. It requires certification bodies to be accredited and independent, and Member States to supervise them.
  11. It requires the Commission to establish a public Union registry with information on certified activities, certificates and certification schemes.
  12. It requires the Commission to report on Union targets for permanent carbon removals and land-based sequestration as part of the post-2030 climate framework.

Who is affected

  • Operators and groups of operators carrying out carbon removal, carbon farming or carbon storage in products activities, who must meet quality criteria and certification rules.
  • Farmers, forest owners or managers and small-scale land managers, for whom the framework aims to reduce administrative burden and provide advisory services.
  • Certification bodies and certification schemes, which must be accredited, independent and recognised by the Commission.
  • Member States and regional authorities, which must supervise certification bodies and may provide advice to farmers.
  • EEA members and third countries bordering the Union with geological storage potential, where a legally binding agreement applies.

Figures and deadlines

  • Carbon farming activities must result in carbon farming sequestration or emission reductions for a period of at least five years.
  • Carbon storage in products must ensure long-term storage for at least five decades.
  • Re-certification audits must take place at least every 5 years for carbon farming activities and at least every 10 years for other activities.
  • The Commission must publish guidance for carbon farming operators within 6 months of the entry into force of the regulation.
  • The first delegated act establishing a certification methodology must be adopted by 12 months from the entry into force of the regulation.
  • The Commission must report on Union targets for permanent carbon removals and land-based sequestration by 12 months from the entry into force of the regulation.
  • A decision recognising a certification scheme is valid for no more than 5 years.
  • Public consultations on draft delegated acts must last at least four weeks.