EU readies certification of carbon removals to help tackle climate change

(EurActiv, 22 Nov 2022) The European Commission is set to propose a scheme to certify removals of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as part of a push to reach net-zero emissions by mid-century, according to a leaked proposal seen by EURACTIV.

As the EU moves towards its 2050 climate neutrality goal, it also needs to increase carbon removals in order to compensate for residual emissions expected in sectors like agriculture and industry.

Carbon removals today are performed by nature – mainly forests, soils and oceans – which absorb CO2 as part of the natural carbon cycle. These natural processes can be encouraged by reforestation or so-called carbon farming methods, where CO2 is removed from the atmosphere and stored in plant materials or soils.

But technical solutions are also being tested, such as direct air capture (DAC) systems involving giant fans that suck CO2 from the air. The next step is to store the captured carbon, either in solid form or as a liquid.

“Capturing CO2 from the atmosphere and storing it for the long term is indispensable if you want to achieve climate neutrality by the middle of the century,” said EU climate chief Frans Timmermans at a conference earlier this year.

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EurActiv, 22 Nov 2022: EU readies certification of carbon removals to help tackle climate change