The European Commission adopted on Tuesday the first set of methodologies under the Regulation on Carbon Dioxide Removals and Carbon Farming (CDR) to certify activities that permanently remove CO2 from the atmosphere.
By adopting these initial voluntary certification methodologies, the EU sets clear standards and creates new opportunities for innovation in the climate field, for investments in carbon dioxide removal technologies, and for combating ecological misinformation, as stated in a press release from the European Commission.
This milestone positions the EU as a global leader in carbon dioxide removal.
The milestone provides clarity to businesses and investors and contributes to creating an emerging market for both innovative start-ups and a major EU bioeconomy, while also supporting the EU's objective to become climate-neutral by 2050, the European Commission stated.
"The European Union is taking decisive action to lead the global effort to remove carbon dioxide. By setting clear and robust voluntary standards, we not only promote responsible and climate actions in Europe, but also establish a global benchmark for others to follow. This is a vital step towards achieving our climate neutrality goals and ensuring a sustainable future," said Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero Emissions, and Clean Growth, Wopke Hoekstra.
The new rules cover three types of permanent carbon dioxide removal activities:
- direct air capture with carbon storage;
- biogenic emissions capture with carbon storage;
- carbon removal from biomass coal.
With the establishment of the certification framework and governance rules, carbon dioxide removal projects using these activities can begin to apply for EU certification.
This will allow for the certification and recognition of the first projects under the EU framework for carbon dioxide removal in the coming months, the European Commission informed.
The delegated regulation will be transmitted to the European Parliament and the Council of the EU for a scrutiny period, after which, if there are no objections, it will enter into force.