The new voluntary carbon certification framework still needs to be ratifies by the European Parliament and the Member States

The European Parliament and the Council (member states) have reached a preliminary agreement to establish the EU’S first voluntary certification framework for carbon removal. The move is intended to encourage the use of innovative carbon-absorbing technologies, seen as crucial for meeting the 2040 interim targets before achieving climate neutrality by mid-century. The initiative also aims to promote carbon capture in agricultural soils, with a reward system for farmers who adopt practices that improve the overall carbon balance in the soil. The new regulation aims to end greenwashing and create a new business opportunities. Once in effect, it will be the first step towards introducing a comprehensive framework for carbon removal and emissions reduction from soil in European legislation. Wopke Hoekstra, the EU’s Climate Action Commissioner, emphasized that carbon absorption and capture in agricultural soils will play a significant role in achieving climate neutrality by 2050. This agreement comes shortly after Hoekstra proposed a 90% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2040, a goal that Brussels believes will require a significant boost in carbon capture and storage technologies. With the new voluntary European certification framework, new economic opportunities will be unlock for farmers, foresters, builders and innovators. The new regulation will also unlock innovative private and public funding, which will allow carbon-removing farmers to be rewarded based on certifies emissions reductions and absorptions. The agreement establishes certification rules for carbon capture in agricultural soils, including forest amd soil restorations, prevention of soil emissions, and more efficient use of fertilizers. The measure is not a generalized payment to farmers, but rather aims to reward those who practice carbon capture farming to reduce emissions from agricultural soils. This includes agroforestry and other mixed farming practices, intermediate crops, cover crops, conservation tillage, or a larger number of landscape elements-all integral parts of regenerative agricultura. For certifications for carbon reduction or storage in agricultural activities, these activities must last at least five years before they can be certified. Also, these activities should not lead to land acquisition for speculative purposes that negatively affect rural communities. The certification rules will also extend to industrial carbon absorptions, such as bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, or direct carbon captura and storage from the aire. The provisional agreement maintains the requirement that carbon removal activities must meet four general criteria to be certified: quantification, additionality, long-term storage, and sustainability.