Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council (EU) 2024/3012, adopted on 27 November 2024, represents a breakthrough in the European Union's drive to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. This voluntary framework for the certification of permanent carbon removal, carbon agriculture and carbon storage in products also creates space for innovative technologies such as biochar production and application (biochar).

Biochar as a specific activity under the regulation

Regulation (EU) 2024/3012 explicitly recognises biochar as an activity that can bring significant environmental benefits. However, due to its nature, specific rules apply:

• Variability of benefits: The regulation states that activities based on the use of biochar may lead to different types of net benefits in terms of carbon removal if different duration of its storage.
• Individual conditions: The net benefit depends on the specific conditions under which the activity takes place. Therefore, the Regulation requires that the relevant certification methodologies set out adequate monitoring and accountability rules.

Impact on the environment and biodiversity

One of the pillars of the new regulation is to ensure that carbon removal activities are fully consistent with the Union's climate objectives. biodiversity and zero pollution.

1. The principle of "do no significant harm": Any certified activity, including those related to biochar, must not significantly harm environmental objectives such as water protection, transition to a circular economy, or pollution prevention.
2. Mandatory biodiversity benefits: If biochar application is classified as part of carbon agriculture, must create at least a minimum benefits for the protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems, including soil health and prevention of soil degradation.
3. Biomass sustainability: When producing biochar, care must be taken to sustainable use of biomass. The regulation emphasizes the application of the principle of cascading biomass use and preventing unsustainable demand for raw materials.

Biochar Certification Criteria

In order for biochar to be certified and its units recognised in the Union register, it must meet strict quality criteria:

• Quantification (Article 4): The activity must bring net benefit in terms of carbon removal, meaning that the amount of carbon removed must exceed the greenhouse gas emissions generated over the entire life cycle of the activity.
• Complementarity (Article 5): The activity must go beyond legal requirements and its implementation must be motivated by the stimulating effect of certification.
• Long-term storage (Article 6): Operators must demonstrate an effort to long-term carbon storage and monitor the risks of its re-release into the atmosphere.

Regulation (EU) 2024/3012 opens the door to the wider use of biochar in Europe as a legitimate tool in the fight against climate change. By setting clear rules for transparency and sustainability, it ensures that biochar is not just used for carbon storage, but also becomes a tool for promoting soil health and restoring European biodiversity. JRi&CO2AI