Assessment of the Certification Framework for Carbon Dioxide Removals in the EU

Project
Duration: Nov 2022 - Apr 2024

On 30 November 2022, the Commission proposed an EU carbon removal certification framework (CRCF). The proposed framework could undermine the environmental integrity of EU climate policies. Within this project, Ecologic Institute and Oeko-Institut assess the Commission's proposal for the CRCF and discusses interlinkages of the CRCF with other pieces of EU climate law.

Criteria for assessment include:

whether the proposal strengthens EU climate policies,
whether it safeguards the integrity of climate policies,
whether it contributes to strong environmental policies and
whether it takes account of other aspects relevant for the uptake of carbon removals, such as energy consumption, cost saving, and innovations.

The EU Carbon Removal Certification Framework

Options for using certified removal units and funding mitigation activities

Year 2024

Event:Digital Event

The negotiations of the Carbon Removals Certification Framework (CRCF) have put EU climate policies at a critical juncture. These negotiations raise some essential questions concerning the further development of EU climate policy.

Carbon Removals in EU Climate Policies

How to Use Carbon Removal Certificates?

28 February 2024
Online

Publication:Fact Sheet

The Carbon Removal Certification Framework (CRCF) proposal of the European Commission and the proposed amendments by Council and European Parliament include minimum sustainability criteria for carbon removals. These criteria are vague and require specification. A new paper by Oeko-Institut and Ecologic Institute examines the sustainability criteria in detail. The German Environment Agency published the paper.

Sustainability Criteria for Carbon Dioxide Removals

Year 2023

Publication:Fact Sheet

In cooperation with the Oeko-Institut, the Ecologic Institute assessed whether the Commission's proposal on a Carbon Removal Certification Framework (CRCF) is compatible with the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU. The paper is published as a fact sheet by the German Environment Agency. It argues that the CRCF violates Article 290 of the Treaty, as it would delegate essential elements of the Regulation to the Commission. The legislative process can address this problem.

Commission Proposal for an EU Carbon Removal Certification Framework

Year 2023

Publication:Report

On 30 November 2022, the Commission proposed an EU Carbon Removal Certification Framework (CRCF). The Commission's proposal is an important initiative for promoting the implementation of carbon removals within the EU. It aims to help generate additional funding for removal activities. But, the proposal remains vague on crucial regulatory aspects.

Certification of Carbon Dioxide Removals

Evaluation of the Commission Proposal

Year 2023

Funding: German Environment Agency (UBA), Germany
Partner: Oeko-Institut (Öko-Institut e.V.), Germany

Ecologic Institute, Germany
Team: Dr. Nils Meyer-Ohlendorf
Duration: Nov 2022 - Apr 2024
Project ID: 50122
Keywords: Climate

EU

Governance

carbon removal certification framework, EU climate policies, carbon dioxide removal, certification schemes, certification process, certification methodologies, quality criteria

Europe

Further Links

PublicationReportCarbon Dioxide Removals in EU Member States

Ecologic report cover "Carbon Dioxide Removals in EU Member States. National frameworks for Carbon Dioxide Removals: State of play and how to improve it"

CO2 removal is becoming a central part of climate action, but relevant policy frameworks of EU Member States are patchy. Basics of good regulation are often missing: goals and strategy. Member States also lack the necessary political debate on CO2 removal (CDR). This... Read more

Meyer-Ohlendorf, Nils, Deyana Spasova (2022): Carbon Dioxide Removals in EU Member States. Ecologic Institute, Berlin.

PublicationDocumentCarbon Dioxide Removal Strategy for the EU

The EU's debate on carbon dioxide removals (CDRs) is gaining momentum, but in important parts it is still a mystery. Basics of an EU framework for CDR remain unclear. An EU CDR Strategy could demystify CDRs and help trigger the necessary political debate on CDRs. A... Read more

Meyer-Ohlendorf, Nils, 2021: Carbon Dioxide Removal Strategy for the EU. Berlin: Ecologic Institute.

ProjectCarbon Dioxide Removals (CDR) in EU Member States Policies and Laws

In this project, the Ecologic Institute analyzes the political and legal frameworks of all 27 EU Member States relevant for the removal of CO2. ... Read more

Carbon Dioxide Removals (CDR) in EU Member States Policies and Laws

Duration: Mar - Sep 2022
Funding: European Climate Foundation (ECF), International

EventDigital EventCarbon Dioxide Removals in EU Member States

Matthias Heyde / Source: Unsplash.com

Climate scenarios say that emission reductions are the backbone of climate action, but CO2 removal (CDR) also plays an important role. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change calls CDR "unavoidable". The EU climate law determines that CDR will become a central... Read more

Digital Event:Carbon Dioxide Removals in EU Member States

Date: 6 October 2022
Location: online