Open letter: 45 signatories call to adopt key carbon removal policies in next EU mandate

Carbon Gap was joined by 44 other organisations in writing to Climate Commissioner-designate Wopke Hoekstra ahead of his confirmation hearing in the European Parliament urging him to adopt a set of policies to support a sustainable scale-up of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) in the next EU mandate. Here are our 4 key recommendations:

1. Set separate targets for emissions reductions and carbon removals in the revision of the Climate Law
2. Boost CDR funding to scale up both early- and later-stage technologies
3. Provide clarity for buyers of CDR in the Green Claims Directive, strengthening the integrity of climate claims
4. Create stable demand for carbon removals through a compliance market and long-term policy support

Carbon removals are vital for reaching net-zero. With the new European Commission being formed, this is a pivotal moment to ensure carbon removals become a pillar in Europe’s fight against climate change.