The CRCF framework
The European Union has set up a framework to certify high-quality carbon removals and support carbon farming, as part of its goal to reach climate neutrality by 2050. The Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming (CRCF) Regulation (EU 2024/3012) was published in the Official Journal of the EU on 6 December 2024. It is the first EU-wide voluntary framework for certifying carbon removals, carbon farming, and carbon storage in products.
The regulation sets common EU rules for quality, monitoring, and reporting. The aim is to direct investment towards carbon removal technologies and sustainable farming, and to keep unreliable claims out of the market. CRCF-certified units can support corporate climate commitments, and their use under EU climate law is still being discussed.
The key documents are linked below: the regulation itself, the delegated act that sets the carbon farming methodologies, the Commission's page on certification schemes, and the Commission's announcement of the methodologies.
What this hub is for
A single place to exchange knowledge, find resources, and explore Earth observation data for the CRCF.
Exchange the latest insights and connect with key players in the field.
Access valuable resources, training materials, and real-world use cases.
Explore interactive maps with rich data layers and receive tailored guidance.
What the CRCF covers
The regulation covers permanent carbon removals, carbon farming, and carbon storage in long-lasting products.
This hub focuses on carbon farming. In July 2026, the Commission adopted certification methodologies for three carbon farming activities.
Agriculture and agroforestry on mineral soils
Farming practices that store carbon in soils and biomass or reduce emissions from agricultural soils. Farmers can combine several practices within the same activity.
Rewetting and restoration of peatlands and other organic soils
Raising the water level in drained peatlands and organic soils to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Partial rewetting is eligible as well as full rewetting.
Afforestation
Planting forest on land that was not forested. Mixed tree composition is preferred; single-species planting is allowed on land with harsh growing conditions, such as areas subject to desertification.
Why Earth observation matters
Article 4(7) of the CRCF Regulation sets the rule for monitoring: "The monitoring shall be based on an appropriate combination of on-site measurements with remote sensing or modelling in accordance with the rules set out in the applicable certification methodologies."
The carbon farming methodologies adopted in July 2026 apply this rule. They allow different quantification and monitoring approaches "in order to ensure an appropriate combination of on-site measurements, remote sensing and modelling", with clear rules on the selection and use of models, measurements and emission factors.
Baselines
The regulation promotes remote sensing and electronic maps "to decrease the costs of establishing standardised baselines and ensure the robustness of the monitoring of the activities" (recital 14).
Copernicus
Monitoring "should make the best use of advanced technologies available under Union programmes, such as in the Copernicus component of the Union Space Programme" (recital 18).
Area-wide measurement
Satellites cover large areas at regular intervals, so monitoring does not depend on field visits alone.
Change over time
Repeat observations track how carbon stocks and land use change between years, which is what certification needs to show.
Explore the data
Open the geospatial explorer to browse Earth observation data layers on an interactive map.
Open the explorer
Certification schemes
Operators are certified through certification schemes that the Commission recognises under the CRCF. A scheme can apply for recognition once the methodology it covers has entered into force. The Commission checks the scheme against that methodology and the minimum requirements of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2358, while the national accreditation body assesses it in parallel. Recognition is typically valid for five years.
Selection in progress
Certification schemes for the carbon farming methodologies are being selected. This section will list the proposed and recognised schemes once the Commission publishes them. Until then, the Commission's page has the latest status.
Certification schemes on the Commission website →
How CRCF credits could be used
Units certified under the CRCF count towards the EU's nationally determined contribution and climate objectives only. They cannot count towards other countries' contributions or towards international compliance schemes such as CORSIA (Article 1(2) of the regulation).
Their use in EU climate instruments is still being decided. The Commission's proposal of 17 July 2026 to revise the EU Emissions Trading System would have the EU buy permanent removals (BioCCS and DACCS) from 2031; carbon farming units are not included. No decision has been taken on their use under the Effort Sharing Regulation or the LULUCF Regulation. Companies can use CRCF units on the voluntary market to support their climate commitments.
