Carbon Removal Certification Framework (CRCF)

Why does Austria need CO₂ removals?

Net-zero greenhouse gas emissions mean that no more greenhouse gases are emitted than are removed from the atmosphere. Net-zero thus aims to keep the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere stable and prevent further increases. Not all emissions can be reduced to zero in the foreseeable future, which is why, in addition to emission reductions, CO₂ removal from the atmosphere is necessary to achieve net-zero. Sectors that are expected to have residual emissions include agriculture, fluorinated gases, and waste management.

Therefore, methods for CO₂ removal and storage must be developed and scaled up quickly to offset the remaining hard-to-avoid emissions.

How large is the emissions gap in Austria?

• Remaining industrial emissions: 4.4–12.1 million tonnes CO₂ per year (“hard to abate”)

• Remaining non-industrial emissions: 5–6 million tonnes CO₂-equivalents per year (“non-energy related”)

CO₂ emissions from large industrial point sources must, in order to achieve climate neutrality, either be permanently geologically stored, used for permanent CCU applications, or demonstrably offset via technical or natural sinks. In addition, in the industrial sector, by 2040, 1–2 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year could result from the combustion of sustainable biomass. There is potential for negative emissions here by capturing CO₂ of biogenic origin from the flue gas stream, transporting it, and storing it geologically or using it permanently. In the context of a comprehensive greenhouse gas balance, interactions between biomass use and the natural sink capacity (LULUCF sector) must also be considered.

How much CO₂ should be removed from the atmosphere?

According to current scenarios, Austria needs to remove between 1.7–6.3 million tonnes of CO₂ from the atmosphere annually using technical sinks to achieve climate neutrality.

Carbon Removal Certification Framework - CRCF

The regulation establishing a Union framework for the certification of permanent CO₂ removals, carbon-sequestering land management (carbon farming), and CO₂ storage in products (EU/2024/3012) was published in the Official Journal of the EU on 6 December 2024.

It creates an EU-wide voluntary framework for the certification of carbon removals and carbon farming. By setting EU quality criteria and establishing monitoring and reporting processes, it facilitates investments in innovative CO₂ removal technologies and sustainable carbon farming solutions, while at the same time countering greenwashing.

Further information is available on the European Commission’s website.

What are the quality criteria?

The Regulation establishes voluntary, Europe-wide uniform and high quality standards for carbon removal and carbon farming activities. For the various activities, the details of the certification methods are laid down in delegated regulations.

Quantification

There are clear requirements for calculating the net benefit of the activities.

Additionality

Each activity must be additional.

Storage, monitoring and liability

The removed CO₂ must be stored permanently or for specific climate-relevant periods.

Sustainability

An activity must not significantly harm the environment and may have positive co-benefits for sustainability objectives.

Certification methods under development

1. A draft delegated regulation is already available, setting out the certification methods for BioCCS, DACCS and BCR. These are activities that lead to permanent CO₂ removals.
2. In addition, draft elements for a delegated regulation are available that set out the carbon farming certification methods for activities on agricultural land, the rewetting and restoration of peatlands, and the planting of trees. Activities related to the rewetting and restoration of peatlands lead to a permanent reduction in soil emissions. The other activities lead to a temporary CO₂ removal or a reduction in soil emissions.
3. Draft elements are also available for a delegated regulation that sets out a certification method in the area of CO₂ storage in products. This concerns the use of biobased materials such as wood or insulation materials in buildings.

Implementing Regulation on Certification

Scope of the Regulation

Harmonised technical rules for:

• certification schemes recognised by the European Commission

• certification bodies

• audit procedures, including the certification registers

• Coherence & simplification: close alignment with the sustainability certification under RED II (Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/966) and with the MRR of the Emissions Trading System (Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2066)

• Determination of the relevant standards for certification bodies

The Implementing Regulation on Certification enters into force on 11 December 2025:
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2358 of 20 November 2025 laying down rules for certification schemes, certification bodies and audits