The EU is improving a first-of-its-kind certification framework for carbon removal

On 20 February 2024, the European Union (EU) announced a temporary political agreement to create a Europe-wide framework for the voluntary certification of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) projects. A significant step forward in government regulation of the CDR sector, this announcement has the potential to help legitimize and strengthen the industry. It may also indicate increased regulation of CDRs in other regions, including the United States.

Framework
The regulatory framework, first proposed in 2022, divides CDR activities into four categories:

1. Permanent carbon removal : activities that store atmospheric or biogenic carbon for several centuries, such as bioenergy production with carbon capture and storage (CCS) as well as direct air capture and storage (DAC).
2. Temporary carbon storage in long-life products : activities that sequester atmospheric and biogenic carbon in products or materials, such as wood-based building products or biochar.
3. Temporary carbon storage from carbon agriculture : activities such as forest and soil restoration and wetland management.
4. Reduction of soil emissions in carbon farming : land management practices that reduce carbon and nitrous oxide emissions, such as no-till practices and reduced fertilizer use.

(KEVIN Y. CHEN, More at foleyhoag.com)