The European environment ministers debated, on Thursday 16 March, the proposal for a regulation establishing an EU carbon removal certification framework, presented by the Commission on 30 November 2022 (see EUROPE 13074/9). In her introduction to the debate, Swedish Minister Romina Pourmokhtari recalled that the text aims at “the deployment of high quality absorptions in the EU” through a voluntary certification framework. “This proposal is a novelty”, said the President of the EU ‘Environment’ Council, as it is an “essential” first step towards the integration of carbon absorption into European climate policy.
Focus on emission reductions
While the vast majority of Member States welcomed this intention to encourage carbon removal, many recalled the principle of “unequivocal priority for emission reductions”. “This is an essential lever for achieving our climate objectives”, according to German State Secretary Sven Giegold, who stressed that “CO2 absorption and reduction must be distinguished from each other”. Among the ministers who agreed with this was Joëlle Welfring from Luxembourg. According to her, carbon absorption is complementary to emission reductions, which “the future framework should in no way disincentivise, slow down or diminish”.
A transparent and clearly defined framework
In addition, many delegations asked for more clarification on central elements of the proposal, such as its main definitions: that of carbon absorption – “which must correspond to international standards“, according to Sven Giegold – but also on the four criteria underlying the certification eligibility system. For example, it is “important” for the Danish minister, Laars Aagard, that “the proposal contains clear requirements for certification” and, in particular, “definitions of additionality, sustainability and long-term storage”. Similarly, the procedure for setting reference levels and establishing specific certification methods needs to be better described, according to the ministers.
In addition, the requirement for reliability, soundness and transparency of the certification was repeatedly stressed, especially in order to prevent the risk of double counting of absorptions. In response, the Hungarian Minister Delegate, Aniko Raisz, proposed “a centralised EU register”. Another major risk brought up is that of greenwashing: “the framework will have to be robust enough to encourage producers and companies to produce effective and qualitative absorptions. In this respect, I would like to draw attention to the risks of greenwashing”, warned the Belgian minister, Zakia Katthabi. “Transparent certification rules will only be beneficial in building investor confidence”, stressed the Czech Minister, Petr Hladik. And he continued: “It would be good to have standardised baseline scenarios to take into account different natural and socio-economic conditions”.
Taking into account national specificities
Several delegations - including Romania and Croatia - stressed the need to take into account national specificities and to ensure that the framework remains accessible also to smallholders. According to the Croatian State Secretary, Mario Siljeg, this could lead to “market distortions” and “differences in interpretation”. Faced with these problems, his Portuguese counterpart, Hugo Polido Pires, advocated for “the creation of a group of experts” for “agricultural carbon storage or afforestation”.
Finally, details on the relationship between the proposed framework and international mechanisms and processes as well as existing national systems with similar objectives were also requested.
The review of the proposal is still in its early stages, with discussions on Thursday focusing on a better understanding of the context and objectives. As a result, there is no general approach expected in the spring. (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)