In the panel discussion, Christian Holzleitner, Head of Unit in the European Commission, mentioned that the Commission is about to publish a proposal on carbon certification at the end of November which aims to establish EU rules for verifying carbon removals. In order to provide concrete solutions for forest owners and farmers, the Commission will gather a group of experts who will provide technical expertise and advice on carbon farming, carbon storage products, different options for permanent storage and certification methodologies.
CEPF Policy Advisor, Maria Pohjala underlined that forest-based carbon farming should base on voluntary, market-based mechanisms and that there must be room for creating nationally adapted standards within the European framework. Additionally, it should consider many objectives for forests and wood-use.
In addition, the LULUCF rapporteur MEP Ville Niinistö (FI/Greens) shared his insights of the ongoing LULUCF negotiations among EU Parliament, Council and Commission which should be finalized end of this year. He stressed that an ambitious EU carbon removal target is key in achieving climate neutrality. With regards to this, Ms. Pohjala called the carbon removal target to be kept on a balanced level to encourage forest owners in managing their forests.
For more information about the summit, visit here.
