Co-creating a common EU vision of carbon removals

The policy brief, resulting from the CO2ol Down co-creation project, argues for a clear distinction between temporary biogenic sequestration and permanent carbon dioxide removals (CDR). It recommends that the EU set legally binding, transparent targets for permanent removals in addition to emissions reduction targets, aiming for net-negative GHG emissions by 2055. The brief proposes a governance framework involving EU-level oversight of CO2 transport and storage, member state-level procurement via reverse auctions or contracts for difference, and a financing model based on the 'Polluter Pays' principle. It emphasizes a portfolio approach to diversify removal methods and strict sustainability criteria, including the requirement that CDR activities be powered by additional renewable energy sources.

• The EU should distinguish between temporary biogenic sequestration and permanent carbon dioxide removals (CDR), as biogenic sequestration is vulnerable to disturbances and should not be used to compensate for residual anthropogenic emissions.
• Legally binding targets for permanent removals should be established separately from gross emissions reduction targets, with a goal of reaching net-negative GHG emissions by 2055 and intermediate targets every five years starting in 2030.
• Permanent removal targets should be set at the EU level and allocated to member states based on socio-economic conditions, with failure to meet these targets resulting in sanctions that fund the Innovation Fund for CDR procurement.
• The financing of permanent CDR should follow the 'Polluter Pays' and 'Ability to Pay' principles, utilizing a public 'CDR development fund' for early-stage initiatives and a blended 'CDR delivery fund' for procurement and demand generation.
• A portfolio approach is necessary to mitigate risks and achieve scale, requiring the development of diverse removal methods evaluated against criteria such as sustainability, biodiversity impacts, and community consent.
• Sustainability criteria for CDR must include the 'do no harm' and 'precautionary' principles, ensuring that all activities are powered by additional renewable energy sources and respect local community rights.
• A clear liability framework is required to handle the reversal of climate benefits, ensuring the liable party is always identifiable and the penalty is high enough to act as a deterrent.

APA

Carbon Market Watch (2024). Co-creating a common EU vision of carbon removals. https://carbonmarketwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Policy-recommendations-for-EU-instruments-on-permanent-removals.pdf

Chicago

Carbon Market Watch. Co-creating a common EU vision of carbon removals. 2024. https://carbonmarketwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Policy-recommendations-for-EU-instruments-on-permanent-removals.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Carbon Market Watch |title=Co-creating a common EU vision of carbon removals |date=December 2024 |url=https://carbonmarketwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Policy-recommendations-for-EU-instruments-on-permanent-removals.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{carbonmarketwatch2024cocreating, author = {{Carbon Market Watch}}, title = {{Co-creating a common EU vision of carbon removals}}, institution = {Carbon Market Watch}, year = {2024}, month = dec, url = {https://carbonmarketwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Policy-recommendations-for-EU-instruments-on-permanent-removals.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }