Understanding the EU Initiative for Carbon Removals and Its Impact on Carbon Farming

EU Carbon Removal Certification Framework (EU Carbon Farming Law)

Certification is a crucial element of carbon markets. In December 2024, the European Parliament reached a political agreement to create the first EU-level certification framework for permanent carbon removals, carbon farming, and carbon storage in products. This voluntary framework is designed to reduce carbon emissions in the EU by promoting activities that enhance carbon removal and emission reduction.

The regulation encompasses four types of units: permanent storage, temporary storage of wood products, temporary storage, and emission reductions through carbon farming. This initiative could serve as a model for Türkiye, where recent land sector mitigation targets lay the groundwork for developing a national carbon farming regulation.

Since Türkiye currently lacks a national carbon certification regulation for carbon farming, the EU's framework can offer valuable guidance and inspiration for Türkiye to craft its own approach. However, several country-specific challenges need to be addressed, such as complexities in land ownership and the issue of additionality in forestlands. The framework must be both straightforward and robust, ensuring transparency and integrity to attract investment. Although initially voluntary, the regulation should consider evolving into a compliance-based market in the future.

Furthermore, we propose that a clearly defined land sector-wide mitigation target for 2030 and beyond could serve as an incentive for effective implementation.

Read the full paper of Yusuf Serengil here.