The Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming (CRCF) Regulation
The Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming (CRCF) Regulation (EU/2024/3012) is a voluntary certification framework introduced by the EU to support climate efforts by offering farmers an additional income source. Aligned with the EU Commission’s Vision for Sustainable Agriculture, CRCF provides more incentives (carrots) and fewer rules (sticks). It enhances transparency and reduces greenwashing by establishing EU-wide quality criteria and monitoring processes. The regulation categorizes certificates into permanent carbon removals, carbon storage in products, carbon farming removals, and soil emission reductions, with standardized procedures for third-party verification, certification, and registration.
Carbon farming practices include agroforestry, peatland restoration, use of cover crops, reduced fertilizer use, and biodiversity-focused reforestation. Methodologies describing MRV (Monitoring, Reporting, Verification) will be drafted by the EU Commission and published via delegated acts. The certification process builds on the Renewable Energy Directive, enabling compliance through audits, registries, and standardized baselines. Copernicus satellite data and remote sensing will make monitoring costeffective and ensure data accuracy.
The CRCF introduces group certification for small-scale farmers and foresters, enabling verified carbon credits through sustainable practices and innovation. It aims to reduce the admin burden by using group certification and bioenergy certification models. While it currently covers only soilrelated emissions, methane reductions from livestock could be included from 2027.
Though use-cases are not specified, CRCF is expected to benefit farmers, foresters, agri-food businesses, policymakers, and advisors by incentivizing sustainable practices and shaping climate policy. It supports a scalable, transparent carbon removal market in the EU, rewarding nature-inclusive land management.
Climate Farm Demo
Ongoing | 2022-2029
- Main funding source
- Horizon Europe (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
- Geographical location
- Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Serbia