The European Commission has taken a major step towards the implementation of the Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming (CRCF) Regulation by adopting the first certification methodologies for carbon farming. Approved on 9 July 2026, these methodologies cover agriculture and agroforestry on mineral soils, the rewetting and restoration of peatlands and other organic soils, and afforestation, laying the foundations for a robust and harmonised certification system across the European Union.

The newly adopted Delegated Regulation complements the CRCF (Regulation (EU) 2024/3012) by defining the technical criteria that carbon farming activities must meet to qualify for certification. By establishing a transparent and scientifically robust framework, it aims to strengthen trust in carbon farming while creating new opportunities for farmers, foresters, and land managers to receive financial rewards for implementing sustainable land management practices.

CAFAMORE partners played an important role in this policy process, providing technical expertise and maintaining an ongoing dialogue with European policymakers. Jan Peter Lesschen (Wageningen Research), CAFAMORE Coordinator, supported DG CLIMA in the development of the methodologies, bringing direct input from the project. In addition, Edouard Lanckriet (Agrosolutions), Eric Ceschia (INRAE), Matthias Kuhnert (University of Aberdeen) and Greet Ruysschaert (ILVO) provided technical expertise for the methodologies, while Gerry Lawson (EURAF) contributed significantly to the agroforestry component. Furthermore, Hugh McDonald and Aaron Scheid (Ecologic Institute), together with Simon Martel, Julia Grimault and Clothilde Tronquet (I4CE), were part of the Expert Group on Carbon Removals, where they helped shape the discussions and provided feedback to DG CLIMA.

It is expected that the Delegated Regulation will enter into force this Autumn, after scrutiny by the European Parliament and the Member States. Once this happens, certification schemes will be able to apply for recognition of compliance with these methodologies and the minimum requirements set out in the Implementing Regulation 2025/2358.