Beyond net: a guide on separate permanent removal targets in the EU

Carbon Market Watch proposes that the EU replace 'net' climate targets with three distinct targets for emissions reductions, land-based sequestration, and permanent carbon dioxide removals (CDR). The guide argues that current EU governance is inadequate, noting that the Carbon Removal and Carbon Farming (CRCF) Regulation lacks rigour and the Net-Zero Industry Act's goal of 50 Mt of geological CO2 storage does not specify the volume for permanent removals. To implement this, the author suggests integrating permanent removal targets into the Effort Sharing Regulation and strengthening the Governance Regulation to require credible feasibility and sustainability assessments by March 2027. Proposed target designs include a 'floor' for minimum delivery and a 'ceiling' to prevent over-reliance on CDR, with targets expressed in absolute volume (MtCO2) and as a percentage of 1990 gross emissions. Financing should be shared between the public sector and high-polluting companies through progressive taxation or direct removal obligations.

• Net targets are criticized for obscuring actual progress and allowing carbon removals to act as a substitute for effective emission cuts.
• Current EU governance of permanent removals is deemed insufficient; specifically, the CRCF Regulation is described as lacking the rigour needed for reliable removals, and the Net-Zero Industry Act's 50 Mt geological storage goal does not distinguish between permanent removals and CCS activities.
• The author recommends integrating national permanent removal targets into the Effort Sharing Regulation and using the Governance Regulation to enforce feasibility and sustainability assessments.
• Proposed national targets should feature a 'floor' to ensure minimum capacity development and a 'ceiling' to prevent over-investment in CDR from justifying high emission levels in hard-to-abate sectors.
• Targets should be quantified in both absolute volume (MtCO2) and as a percentage of 1990 gross emissions to ensure transparency and fair comparison.
• The document suggests that high-polluting companies should bear the cost of removals through progressive taxation or a direct EU-wide removal obligation.

APA

Orth, D. (2026). Beyond net: a guide on separate permanent removal targets in the EU. Carbon Market Watch. https://carbonmarketwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-A-guide-on-separate-permanent-removal-targets-in-the-EU-briefing-combined.pdf

Chicago

Orth, Daniel. Beyond net: a guide on separate permanent removal targets in the EU. Carbon Market Watch, 2026. https://carbonmarketwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-A-guide-on-separate-permanent-removal-targets-in-the-EU-briefing-combined.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Orth |first1=Daniel |title=Beyond net: a guide on separate permanent removal targets in the EU |publisher=Carbon Market Watch |date=May 2026 |url=https://carbonmarketwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-A-guide-on-separate-permanent-removal-targets-in-the-EU-briefing-combined.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{orth2026beyond, author = {Orth, Daniel}, title = {{Beyond net: a guide on separate permanent removal targets in the EU}}, institution = {Carbon Market Watch}, year = {2026}, month = may, url = {https://carbonmarketwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-A-guide-on-separate-permanent-removal-targets-in-the-EU-briefing-combined.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }