Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming (CRCF) Regulation in European Union (EU)

Posted 07 May 2024

2 min read

European Parliament and the European Council recently reached a provisional agreement on a regulation to establish the first EU-level Carbon Removal Certification Framework.
- This certification framework will boost innovative carbon removal technologies and carbon farming.
- It establishes quality criteria standards and outlines monitoring and reporting processes to prevent greenwashing.
  - Greenwashing is a term used where a company makes false or misleading statements that their products/services are more sustainable than they are in reality.

About Carbon Farming

It uses regenerative practices to improve agriculture, restore ecosystems, and combat climate change by storing carbon and reducing emissions.
Common Methods: Agroforestry, conservation farming (minimising soil disturbance), integrated nutrient management, Renewable Energy Production Grasslands Conservation, etc.

Carbon Sequestration: Studies have shown agricultural soils can absorb 3-8 billion tonnes of CO2-equivalent every year.
- This capacity can bridge the gap between feasible emissions reductions and the indispensable stabilisation of the climate.
Promoting Farmers Income: Carbon credit systems can incentivise farmers by providing additional income through environmental services.
Challenges: Inadequate policy support, lack of resources to invest in sustainable land management practices by small land holding farmers etc.

Global
- 4 per 1000 Initiative: encourages stakeholders to engage in a transition towards a regenerative, productive and highly resilient agriculture.
  - It was launched during the UNFCCC COP21 (2015) in Paris.
- World Bank-supported initiatives: E.g. Kenya’s Agricultural Carbon Project.
India
- Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS): Launched by the Ministry of Power for trading of carbon credits among obligated entities.
- National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture: Promote agroforestry, micro irrigation, crop diversification, etc. by the government of India, to encourage farmers to be part of the carbon trading in agriculture.