Wednesday, 26th November 2025

European Council

The Council gave the final green light to a regulation establishing the first EU-level certification framework for permanent carbon removals, carbon arming and carbon storage in products. This voluntary framework will facilitate and encourage high-quality carbon removal and soil emission reduction activities in the EU, as a complement to sustained emission reductions.The regulation will be the first step in introducing a comprehensive certification framework for carbon removals and soil emission reductions into EU legislation. It will help the EU to achieve its goal of climate neutrality by 2050.

The regulation covers permanent carbon removals that capture and store atmospheric or biogenic carbon for several centuries (e.g. bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, direct air capture with storage). Carbon storage activities that capture and store carbon in long-lasting products for at least 35 years (such as wood-based construction products). Carbon farming activities that enhance carbon sequestration and storage in forests and soils, or that reduce greenhouse gas emissions from soils, carried out over a period of at least five years (e.g. reforestation, restoring peatlands or wetlands, improved fertiliser use).