The EU Commission has announced a public consultation on a draft of the Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming (CRCF) Regulation, looking to gather input from stakeholders that would help shape the rules for carbon farming certifications in the European Union.
Enacted on December 6, 2024, this regulation represents the first EU-wide voluntary framework for certifying carbon dioxide removals, carbon farming, and CO2 storage in products.
As European farmers and foresters turn more actively towards sustainable agriculture practices, they are increasingly contributing towards the improved carbon sequestration in soils and forests and lower CO2 emissions released from soils.
Sustainable agriculture activities range across different ecosystems and include practices such as rewetting and restoring peatlands, establishing agroforestry systems, adopting soil protection measures, enhancing the efficiency of fertilizer use, and planting new forests.
Beyond carbon management benefits, these practices also lower the operational costs in this industry while boosting the regional agricultural resilience and competitiveness.
To support the scale-up of this momentum, the EU wants to back farmers and foresters through a number of certification methodologies proposed under the CRCF that would provide these workers with result-based payment for their climate-oriented action.
Towards the end of 2025, the EU Commission made the first legislative steps for operationalizing the CRCF, establishing within its framework key initiatives like creating an EU carbon removals buyers’ club, setting up an EU Carbon Farming Database, and paving the way for the inclusion of carbon storage in buildings.
Relevant: EU Commission Announces New Steps Towards The CRCF Regulation
The Commission is now making the bold move of releasing the draft CRCF Regulation for public feedback, aiming to hear the voices and opinions of citizens, businesses, and stakeholders who will help define the final version.
Besides launching the public consultation, the Commission will also discuss the proposed methodologies at a Carbon Removal Expert Group meeting organized for 5 February 2026 that will also be streamed online.
Stakeholders are encouraged to explore the draft and send in their input in the four-week consultation period that closes on Feb 19, 2026. As shared in the announcement, the Commission adoption is planned for Q1 of 2026.
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