How the SMURF Project aligns with the EU CRCF for effective climate action

The recent approval by the Council of the EU CRCF and its publication in the official journal of the EU on 06 December 2024, marked a significant step in Europe’s climate strategy. This new framework aims to certify carbon removal activities, offering guidelines for permanent carbon sequestration, carbon farming and carbon storage in products. By recognising and rewarding carbon removals, it offers industries, including forestry, an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the EU’s 2050 climate neutrality goal.

SMURF: Supporting sustainable forest management

The Sustainable Management of Small Forest Properties for Resilient Forests in Europe (SMURF) project, led by Preferred by Nature, demonstrates how forest management can align with and benefit from the EU CRCF. Over 16 million small forest properties in Europe face challenges such as fragmentation, limited resources and climate impacts. These hinder forest owners from implementing effective and sustainable practices, limiting their ability to maximise the potential for carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation.

SMURF addresses these challenges head-on by equipping small forest owners with tools, knowledge and a framework for sustainable land management. Preferred by Nature leads Work Package 5, where efforts focus on developing a carbon credit framework and a digital platform for tracking forest-based carbon projects. This includes two accounting methodologies for Afforestation and Reforestation (ARR) and Improved Forest Management (IFM) activities, both with biodiversity criteria to ensure carbon credits are sustainable and environmentally beneficial. These initiatives play a crucial role in standardising Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) systems at regional, national and European levels.

By aligning PES frameworks with sustainability standards and biodiversity considerations, Preferred by Nature ensures these systems promote sustainable forest management which helps foster long-term resilience and ecological health. These efforts are aligned with the EU CRCF, and the project plans to submit the methodologies to the European Commission for formal recognition. This recognition under the EU CRCF will allow small forest owners to participate in carbon markets and financially benefit from their carbon removal activities.

Building climate resilience with global action

Developments at the recent COP29 further underscore the growing importance of carbon markets and climate finance. At the conference, developed countries pledged $300 billion annually for climate finance. Significant progress was also made on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, which governs international carbon markets. These international commitments support forest-based carbon projects like SMURF, as the world increasingly turns to nature-based solutions for mitigating climate change.

As the EU continues to strengthen its carbon removal policies, SMURF’s innovative approach provides a clear pathway for small forest owners to engage in climate action. With the backing of the EU CRCF and the momentum generated by COP29, these efforts will drive both environmental sustainability and economic opportunities, fostering climate-resilient forests across Europe.

For more information:
>> Read about the SMURF project
>> Visit the official website