The Council and the European Parliament have agreed on the introduction of a certification system for carbon removals. It sets out clear rules for the quantification, monitoring and verification of CO₂ removals. In addition, CO₂ removal activities must meet four quality criteria in order to be certified: Quantification, additionality, long-term storage and sustainability. Uniform framework conditions and criteria are intended to increase credibility and prevent greenwashing.

The agreement on the certification system must now be approved by the representatives of the Member States in the Council and the Parliament’s Environment Committee before it can be formally adopted by both institutions and finally published in the Official Journal of the EU and enter into force.