Article 6.4 of the Paris Agreement took centre stage in 2024, introducing the first-ever Paris-aligned standards for carbon removals – activities that get credit for taking carbon out of the atmosphere rather than for preventing greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere –, officially approved by the Parties on the opening day of COP29 in Baku (our analysis on this here). From mid-2025, stakeholders can begin submitting removal methodologies for review under Article 6.4 (or Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism – PACM), with carbon credits from these methodologies expected to become available by 2026.

Similarly, the European Commission delivered a long-anticipated breakthrough with the formal adoption of the EU Carbon Removal Certification Framework (CRCF). Officially entering into force on 27 December last year, the adoption of the framework marks the culmination of a legislative journey that began with a proposal in November 2022. The first certification methodologies under the CRCF are slated for release in Q1 2025, paving the way for CRCF-certified units to emerge in 2026.

As the carbon removal industry takes shape, Article 6.4 and the CRCF emerge as key frameworks. While both systems aim to standardise carbon removal practices and ensure environmental integrity, their design, scope, and implementation strategies highlight fundamental differences. Following up on our last analysis, we look into their requirements, definitions, and coverage, exploring how these standards might align—or compete—in the years ahead.