From Regulation to Registry: The CRCF Implementation Roadmap
EU Regulation 2024/3012, the Carbon Removal Certification Framework (CRCF), was published in the Official Journal on 23 November 2024. It entered into force on 13 December 2024. The framework establishes, for the first time, a harmonised EU-wide certification system for carbon removals and carbon farming activities — covering permanent geological storage, bioenergy with carbon capture (BECCS), and the ecosystem-based approaches central to VERDANTIS's investment thesis.
The implementation architecture unfolds in three sequential phases:
Phase 1: Delegated Acts — Permanent Removals (Expected February 2026)
The Commission will adopt a Delegated Act defining detailed certification criteria for permanent carbon removals, including geological storage and durable carbon storage in bio-based materials. This Act will establish the QU.A.L.ITY criteria operationally for long-duration removal projects. Certification bodies seeking accreditation to verify permanent removal projects will be able to register from this date.
Phase 2: Carbon Farming Delegated Act (Expected Summer 2026)
The carbon farming Delegated Act covers ecosystem-based carbon removals and soil carbon enhancement, directly relevant to agroforestry projects. This will define the methodology certification pathway for projects such as VERDANTIS's Polyculture System. Compliance with this Delegated Act unlocks eligibility for the CRCF EU registry and allows certified credits to enter institutional and compliance-adjacent markets.
Phase 3: Full Registry Operational (2028)
The EU Carbon Removal Registry is scheduled to be fully operational by 2028. The registry will provide:
- Transparent issuance and retirement tracking for all CRCF-certified credits
- Public disclosure of certification methodology, monitoring data, and verifier identity
- Integration with EU ETS and CBAM compliance frameworks for supplementary offsetting purposes
- A single-entry point for institutional investors and corporate buyers seeking verified EU-origin removal credits
What This Means for Agroforestry Investors
The CRCF implementation timeline is directly relevant to project developers in the agroforestry space. Projects that begin preparation now — establishing ISO 14064-2 compliant monitoring plans, engaging accredited certification bodies, and building the evidence base for additionality and permanence — will be positioned to receive first-mover CRCF certification once the Carbon Farming Delegated Act is adopted.
CRCF certification is expected to command a significant price premium over uncertified VCM credits. Current projections place CRCF-compliant carbon farming credits in the EUR 40–70 per tonne range, compared to USD 3.50–15/t for standard voluntary credits.
VERDANTIS has structured its CRCF compliance pathway as a core pillar of its project governance framework, with dedicated documentation processes aligned to the forthcoming Delegated Act criteria.