Guidelines support public policies for voluntary carbon markets
30/07/2026
The transition towards climate-smart agriculture requires not only scientific innovation but also effective public policies capable of supporting farmers and creating trust in voluntary carbon markets.
To contribute to this objective, GECO 2.2 has developed the Guidelines for Public Policies on Voluntary Carbon Markets, providing practical recommendations for national and regional authorities to promote transparent, credible and sustainable carbon farming initiatives.
Building on the experience gained throughout the project, the guidelines translate the results of GECO 2.2 into a policy framework aligned with the EU Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming (CRCF) Regulation (EU) 2024/3012. The document highlights how public institutions can facilitate the development of voluntary carbon markets by promoting harmonised certification systems, supporting the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices and ensuring transparency, traceability and environmental integrity.
The publication also identifies concrete actions that can strengthen governance, encourage stakeholder cooperation and improve farmers' access to carbon market opportunities. Particular attention is devoted to the role of regional authorities in creating enabling conditions for carbon farming, fostering innovation and integrating carbon sequestration into broader agricultural and climate policies.
As Europe moves towards the implementation of the CRCF framework, the GECO 2.2 Guidelines for Public Policies on Voluntary Carbon Markets offer a valuable reference for policymakers seeking to strengthen carbon farming policies while supporting the transition towards climate-neutral agriculture. The complete document is available for consultation in the Library section of the GECO 2.2 website, under WP1 – Comparative and Survey Studies, where users can explore the project's public deliverables and technical publications.
