The European Commission is set to propose a scheme to certify removals of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as part of the efforts to achieve net-zero emissions by mid-century, according to a leaked proposal seen by EURACTIV.
As the EU moves towards its 2050 climate-neutral goal, it also needs to compensate for residual emissions produced by sectors like agriculture and industry through removing carbon emissions.
Carbon removal methods include natural strategies like tree restoration, agricultural soil management, and ocean-based carbon removal, which absorb CO2 as part of the natural carbon cycle. These natural processes can be encouraged by reforestation or so-called carbon farming practices, where atmospheric carbon is sequestered and stored in plant materials or soils.
However, technical solutions are also being tested, such as direct air capture (DAC) systems involving giant fans that suck CO2 from the air. The next step is to store the captured carbon, either in solid form or as a liquid.
