ClieNFarms Informal Policy Workshop Report
On 24 January 2023, ClieNFarms organised an informal policy workshop in Brussels. The topic of the
workshop was the proposal for the Union certification framework for carbon removals, which was
published by the European Commission on 30 November 2022. Carbon farming is included in the
framework (together with permanent storage and carbon storage in products) and several
challenges in this regard must be addressed. Therefore, the proposal is very relevant for ClieNFarms.
The workshop was held under the Chatham House Rule.
First, the ClieNFarms project and its contributions to climate neutral farming were presented. Then
the Commission’s proposal for a certification framework for carbon removals was explained. The
proposal defines the four QU.A.L.ITY criteria Quantification, Additionality, Long-term storage and
sustainabil-ITY. The certification methodologies for the QU.A.L.ITY criteria will be developed by an
expert group and implemented by delegated acts.
After that, ClieNFarms presented their feedback on the Commission’s proposal. Finally, an informal
discussion on the proposal took place with all participants. The feedback from ClieNFarms and the
discussion mainly focused on the four QU.A.L.ITY criteria Quantification, Additionality, Long-term
storage and sustainabil-ITY of the proposal. It was concluded that sound methods for collecting
reliable data for the calculation of carbon removals are needed. Furthermore, measures have to be
put in place so that carbon is stored in the soil in the long term and not lost after the monitoring
period. Moreover, the framework has to ensure that carbon farming and biodiversity protection go
hand in hand. Finally, a discussion on how certificates for carbon farming are used and traded is
highly needed.
The full report of the workshop can be found below.