{"id":3863,"date":"2026-09-22T09:27:26","date_gmt":"2026-09-22T07:27:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/afen.fr\/?p=3863"},"modified":"2026-09-22T09:29:34","modified_gmt":"2026-09-22T07:29:34","slug":"afen-signs-joint-statement-by-european-carbon-removal-trade-associations-on-the-integration-of-carbon-removals-into-the-eu-ets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/afen.fr\/en\/actualite\/afen-signs-european-carbon-removal-trade-associations-joint-statement-on-removals-integration-into-the-eu-ets\/","title":{"rendered":"AFEN Signs Joint Statement by European Carbon Removal Trade Associations on the Integration of Carbon Removals into the EU ETS"},"content":{"rendered":"

Yesterday, five European carbon removal trade associations<\/strong> came together to publish a joint statement<\/a> in support of integrating permanent carbon dioxide removal (CDR) into the EU ETS. The signatories are the European Negative Emissions Platform<\/a>, along with its French (AFEN<\/a>), German (German Association for Negative Emissions e.V. (DVNE)<\/a>), Italian (Italian Carbon Removal Network (RIRC)<\/a>) and Nordic Carbon Removal Association (NCRA)<\/a> counterparts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Commission\u2019s ETS Reform Proposal<\/a>, published on July 17, proposes to integrate up to 250 million metric tons of permanent carbon removal into the EU ETS between 2031 and 2040\u2014a first for the EU\u2019s main compliance market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CDR is both a climate imperative<\/a> for Europe and an industrial opportunity: it allows the EU to build a strategic industry now \u2013 generating economic benefits and jobs within its territory<\/a> \u2013 rather than let it develop elsewhere. Together, the five signatories represent more than 170 companies active in carbon removal across Europe and beyond, which need clear demand signals to build the supply the EU will need to meet its climate targets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

European carbon removal trade associations unite in support of CDR integration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

European trade associations welcome the Commission\u2019s proposal as a key signal of demand for CDR. To ensure that this signal is effective, the statement outlines four specific requests:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. make the 250 million metric tons of CDR a binding target<\/strong>, not just a cap on the allowance;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. close the price gap between ETS allowances and the cost of carbon dioxide removal (CDR)<\/strong>, through more targeted allowances, CDR eligibility for Carbon Contracts for Difference under the Industrial Decarbonization Bank, and explicit inclusion in Member States\u2019 earmarked decarbonization investments;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. early launch offtake agreements<\/strong>, no later than 2029, to provide visibility for projects today;<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. open the door to direct CDR purchases by ETS operators<\/strong>, in addition to the centralized purchasing mechanism.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    How AFEN Supports the French Ecosystem<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    France has the potential to be a key player in the CDR sector in Europe, with a market worth up to \u20ac50 billion a year and up to 130,000 jobs by 2050<\/a>, built on the country\u2019s agricultural, forestry, maritime, and low-carbon electricity assets. AFEN represents the interests of over fifty companies across the full range of CDR approaches\u2014from nature-based to technology-based\u2014and across the CDR value chain, including supply, financing, certification, and infrastructure. All of these require clear regulatory and demand signals to move forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    AFEN aligns with its European partners<\/strong> while pushing for one specific goal: expanding the range of eligible methodologies.<\/strong> The Commission\u2019s proposal limits initial integration to biogenic carbon capture and storage (BioCCS) and direct air capture and storage (DACCS). AFEN is asking to open the integration to all permanent carbon removal methodologies certified under the European Carbon Removal and Carbon Farming (CRCF) framework<\/strong>, which today also include biochar, and could include other methods in the future. Waiting for the review clause scheduled for 2034 is too far off for many project developers. As specified in the commission\u2019s proposal, the procurement mechanisms should ensure that a diverse range of approaches is effectively procured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The draft report by the European Parliament\u2019s ETS rapporteur shows strong support for CDR<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Just published, the draft report<\/a> A proposal put forward by Peter Liese, the European Parliament\u2019s rapporteur for the ETS reform, moves in this direction:<\/p>\n\n\n\n