Welcome to the European Parliamentary Research Service Podcasts.

In this podcast, we'll turn our attention to the certification framework for carbon removals

proposed by the European Commission to scale up carbon removal activities thanks to increase

trust in carbon removal certificates. An essential tool to support the EU's climate and circular economy

ambitions, but also a controversial one. Want to know more? Keep listening.

The EU aims to become the first climate neutral continent by 2050. So far, so good. But that goal will not be met without measures to reduce our greenhouse

gas emissions and remove existing carbon from the atmosphere. EU policymakers increasingly believe

carbon dioxide removal is a critical third pillar of climate action, alongside emission reductions

and adaptation measures to deal with the devastating effects of climate action, alongside emission reductions and adaptation measures to deal with the devastating

effects of climate change. The problem is that currently there is no officially recognised

EU-wide framework for certifying carbon removals, which creates uncertainty, lack of trust,

and makes greenwashing easier. So, what is the EU going to do about it?

Well, in November 2022, the European Commission proposed the adoption of an EU-wide voluntary framework

to certify high-quality carbon removals generated in Europe.

And in doing so, spur the development of new technologies and sustainable carbon farming solutions

while fighting greenwashing.

Let's hear European Commissioner Vice President Franz Timmermans.

The certification framework for carbon removals ensures that whenever a ton of carbon

is said to have been taken from the atmosphere,

we can verify that claim.

Trust but verify.

Has it actually happened?

...