IOGP Europe views on the methodologies for the certification of carbon dioxide removals

To support the EU’s 2050 climate neutrality goal, carbon dioxide removals (CDR) must complement emissions reduction efforts. In this position paper, IOGP Europe provides expert feedback on the European Commission’s draft methodology for certifying permanent carbon removals through DACCS/BioCCS under the Carbon Removal Certification Framework (CRCF). 

Key messages include: 

• Revise the methodology to include broader BioCCS technologies to maximize the potential of diverse BioCCs technologies. 

• Clarify how early BECCS projects can become eligible under the CRCF framework 

• Proportionally allocate GHG emissions from the capture in mixed fossil and biogenic CO2 capture units. 

• Include a reference to the EU ETS framework to enhance monitoring for the transport of CO2. 

• Take a more reasonable approach in leakage accounting by removing the constraint that carbon dioxide removals can only be recorded during hours which the storage site was operating without leakage events or significant irregularities. 

• Align sustainability criteria for biomass used for BEECS with Article 29 of the Renewables Energy Directive, to ensure coherence. 

• Centralize lifecycle emissions factors into a unified reference point to ensure consistency and transparent assessment.  

• Ensure interoperability between EU and international methodologies to avoid market fragmentation and ensure investor confidence. 

• Enhance and streamline EU funding mechanisms to better support the development and deployment of carbon dioxide removals technologies, addressing accessibility challenges and early-stage funding gaps.