Project Credible opens public consultation on its report “From single farms to nations: is there an optimal scale for robust and viable schemes?”

The tension between the need for a EU-level carbon certification framework and the consideration of local specificities must be adequately addressed to develop robust and viable schemes. Drawing on insights from experts involved in carbon credit certification in agriculture, forestry, and peatlands across international, national, and local frameworks (project developers, existing standards, auditors, etc.), Project Credible has recently produced a report considering the strengths and weaknesses of the different scales of governance and the potential interactions and barriers of overlapping schemes at different levels.

The report, available here and currently open for public consultation, is titled “From single farms to nations: is there an optimal scale for robust and viable schemes?” and was authored by Clara Diebolt (AC3A), Claudine Foucherot (Chamber of Agriculture of Normandy), Julia Grimault (I4CE), Hugo Lachater (AC3A), and Simon Martel (I4CE). The document builds on the latest developments of the Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming (CRCF) Regulation, and hence the recommendations aim, among other objectives, to help mitigate potential negative effects of the decision to implement an EU-wide registry by 2028.

According to the study, adjustments and clarifications are still needed. For instance, some aspects of the methodology implementation are left to individual certification schemes. Furthermore, the report highlights that methodologies should ensure consistency while allowing adaptation to local contexts and leaving more room for innovation. Member States should also have the flexibility to refine methodologies using models or emission factors aligned with their LULUCF reporting, fostering consistency across regulations.

In addition, the document outlines general recommendations as well as specific guidance related to greenhouse gas (GHG) assessments, Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) tools, project validation, and the registry. Don’t miss the opportunity to participate in this public consultation, which is funded by the European Union and monitored closely by the Expert Group on Carbon Removals that supports the Commission in its efforts to develop the CRCF Certification Framework.