STATEMENT: EU Integrates Carbon Removals into ETS in Major Step Toward Net Zero
The Carbon Business Council welcomes the European Commission's decision to integrate high-integrity carbon removals into the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), a significant step toward a climate framework that reflects the full scope of what net zero requires.
Ben Rubin, Executive Director of the Carbon Business Council commented: “Today's decision recognizes something that science has long made clear: deep emissions reductions and carbon removal solutions are both needed to reach net zero. Residual emissions from hard-to-abate industries such as steel, cement, and chemicals require a durable, high-integrity solution, and the ETS now provides the start of a credible pathway to deliver one.”
He added: “By sending a long-term, predictable demand signal to the carbon removal sector, the Commission has closed a gap in climate policy and laid the foundation to accelerate a growing industry in Europe. Carbon removal is projected to become a trillion-dollar global market that will create high-quality jobs, anchor critical infrastructure, and demonstrate that climate ambition and industrial competitiveness can work in tandem. Europe is positioning itself to define what high-integrity removal means and setting the standards the rest of the market will build on. As implementation takes shape, it will be critical to ensure a tech-inclusive approach. A level playing field across carbon removal pathways will spur innovation, accelerate deployment, and ensure the ETS builds on the method-neutral foundations established through the Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming framework (CRCF).
We look forward to the integration taking shape that builds on the certification standards already developed through the CRCF. The Carbon Business Council will work to ensure implementation reflects the integrity standards the market requires and the ambition this moment demands.”
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The Carbon Business Council (CO2BC) is a coalition representing more than 100 carbon management organisations across all major carbon removal pathways who are united to build a more prosperous planet. Our coalition accelerates market development across sectors and continents through ecosystem building, policy engagement, and public affairs.
