Significant step for carbon farming in the EU: Commission approves certification methodologies

On 9 July 2026, the European Commission officially adopted certification methodologies for carbon farming under the Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming (CRCF) Regulation. Covering agriculture, agroforestry, peatland rewetting, and afforestation, these methodologies aim to ensure a credible and robust approach to certifying carbon farming activities across the EU. Following the scrutiny period by the European Parliament and the Member States, the methodologies are expected to enter into force this autumn.

The Delegated Regulation, which supplements the CRCF (Regulation (EU) 2024/3012) provides clear technical rules that operators must follow to demonstrate compliance with the CRCF quality criteria. By providing a credible certification framework, these methodologies can help farmers, foresters, and land managers benefit from financial incentives that encourage the adoption of sustainable land management practices.

At Project Credible, we are proud to have contributed to this important milestone. From the discussions within our Focus Groups and the development of high-quality outputs and recommendations, to our ongoing exchanges with DG CLIMA and the role of the European Carbon Farming Summit as a leading platform for dialogue between science, policy and practice, Credible has helped shape the development of the CRCF framework.

Now, it is time to support the implementation of the CRCF, as we have set out to do in Credible’s second phase. Our goal is to turn ambition into practice by equipping farmers, land managers, policymakers, and market actors with the tools and resources they need. Together, we can ensure that carbon farming contributes to a more resilient and future proof land sector while delivering lasting benefits for biodiversity, soils, and water resources.