The EU Council has approved a groundbreaking regulation establishing the first EU-level certification framework for permanent carbon removals, carbon farming, and carbon storage in products. This voluntary system aims to encourage high-quality carbon removal projects and soil emission reductions, complementing ongoing efforts to cut emissions. The framework supports the EU’s goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050.

The regulation covers three main areas: permanent carbon removals, which capture and store atmospheric or biogenic carbon for centuries; carbon storage in long-lasting products, like wood-based construction materials; and carbon farming initiatives that enhance soil and forest carbon sequestration or reduce soil emissions over shorter periods. These activities range from reforestation to innovative technologies such as bioenergy with carbon capture and direct air capture. This initiative represents a vital step in integrating sustainable practices into EU climate policy.