• European Parliament and the European Council recently reached a provisional agreement on a regulation to establish the first EU-level Carbon Removal Certification Framework.
  • This certification framework will boost innovative carbon removal technologies and carbon farming.
  • It establishes quality criteria standards and outlines monitoring and reporting processes to prevent greenwashing.
    • Greenwashing is a term used where a company makes false or misleading statements that their products/services are more sustainable than they are in reality. 

About Carbon Farming

• It uses regenerative practices to improve agriculture, restore ecosystems, and combat climate change by storing carbon and reducing emissions.
• Common Methods: Agroforestry, conservation farming (minimising soil disturbance), integrated nutrient management, Renewable Energy Production Grasslands Conservation, etc.

Potential Benefits

• Carbon Sequestration: Studies have shown agricultural soils can absorb 3-8 billion tonnes of CO2-equivalent every year.
  •  This capacity can bridge the gap between feasible emissions reductions and the indispensable stabilisation of the climate.
• Promoting Farmers Income: Carbon credit systems can incentivise farmers by providing additional income through environmental services.
• Challenges: Inadequate policy support, lack of resources to invest in sustainable land management practices by small land holding farmers etc.