The document proposes a voluntary European Union certification framework for carbon removals to support climate neutrality goals and enhance transparency. It defines key criteria for certification including quantification of removals, additionality, long-term storage, and sustainability. National organizations can apply to the EU Commission for recognition to operate certification schemes. Interoperable registries will track certified carbon removal units until an EU registry is established. Annual reports will include details of any fraud cases. The Italian government proposes a public forest carbon removal certification scheme aligned with the EU framework.

1. Italy’s reflections on market
integrity in the VCMs
Laura Messina
Italian Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security

2. Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE
COUNCIL establishing a Union certification framework for carbon removals
Objectives:
To develop a voluntary Union certification framework for carbon removals to
support the achievement of the Union objectives under the Paris Agreement, in
particular the climate neutrality objective by 2050
A harmonized Union certification framework to enhance environmental integrity
and transparency of carbon removals and to promote trust in their certification

3. Cont.:
To support the development of carbon removals activities in the Union that result
in an unambiguous net carbon removal benefit, while avoiding greenwashing
The provision of clear definitions of carbon removals, taking into account the
different types of carbon removals activities, their specificities and related
environmental impacts, aiming at a robust quantification of removals that are
additional and ensure long-term storage of carbon

4. The proposal is based on principles defined QU.A.L.ITY criteria:
QUantification of net carbon removal related to the activity, considering related
uncertainties and with data gathered in a manner compatible with national
greenhouse gas inventories;
Additionality, i.e., carbon removal that goes beyond Union and national statutory
requirements and takes place due to the incentive effect of the certification;
Long-term storage with monitoring and mitigation of risks of release during the
monitoring period;
SustainabilITY, i.e., the carbon removal activity has a neutral impact or generates
co-benefits for mitigation and adaptation to climate change, sustainable use and
protection of water and marine resources, transition to circular economy, pollution
prevention and control, and protection and restoration of biodiversity and
ecosystems.

5. Private or public organizations proposing certification schemes for carbon
removals apply for recognition by the EU Commission
Until the establishment of the Union registry, certification schemes establish
interoperable certification registries to make publicly accessible the information
resulting from the certification process and to enable the tracing of the quantity of
the certified units
Certification schemes submit an annual report about their operations, including a
description of any cases of fraud and related remediation measures
The Italian Government is proposing a public certification scheme of forest carbon
removals for a voluntary carbon market in the forestry sector to be aligned to CRCF

6. Thank you!
Laura Messina
messina.laura@mase.gov.it