QU.A.L.ITY: The European Union’s Tool to Revolutionise Seaweed Farming

As part of its roadmap toward achieving climate neutrality by 2050, the European Union has developed an innovative certification framework known as QU.A.L.ITY. Officially active since 2024, this framework provides a tool for Member States to certify carbon dioxide removal (CDR) projects. It is designed to ensure that such activities are measurable, additional, sustainable, and long-lasting. While the framework can be applied to various initiatives, seaweed farming stands out as one of the most promising solutions to take advantage of this system.

Seaweed absorbs carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere through photosynthesis and stores it in its tissues and marine sediments. This natural advantage enables companies and projects to align with the QU.A.L.ITY framework, which establishes clear standards for measuring climate impact, promoting additional activities, and ensuring the sustainability of carbon removal initiatives.

In addition to carbon sequestration, seaweed farming offers other significant benefits such as improving water quality by absorbing excess nutrients, thereby reducing the risk of eutrophication, providing habitats for fish and crustaceans, boosting marine biodiversity, and serving as a raw material for biofuels, bioplastics, and animal feed, contributing to a circular economy.

A company or project seeking certification under the QU.A.L.ITY standard can sell carbon credits in voluntary markets. This creates an additional revenue stream, marking seaweed farming economically viable, even in regions with high production costs.

The framework also requires the monitoring of emissions generated by infrastructure and farm operations, encouraging businesses to adopt cleaner technologies. For example, companies may opt to recycled materials for buoys and ropes or use renewable fuels for vessels.

Moreover, certification enhances a company’s image by demonstrating its environmental commitment. This not only attracts investors but also improves the company’s reputation among consumers and local communities.

Despite its potential, implementing QU.A.L.ITY certification faces significant challenges. These include lack of standardized methodologies for measuring carbon storage in marine environments, which complicates monitoring and verification. High initial costs for setting up a farm and complying with monitoring standards. However, these costs can be mitigated through subsidies and research programmes.

On the other hand, businesses that adopt QU.A.L.ITY will not only contribute to global climate goals but also position Europe as a leader in sustainable innovation.

As of the publication of this article, no projects have jet obtained certification under the QU.A.L.ITY framework. The European Commission, with the assistance of a group of experts, is currently developing certification methodologies tailored to different types of carbon removal activities.

This process is essential to ensure that certified activities meet the quality standards established by the framework. The Commission anticipates that, one these methodologies are finalised and a common, transparent electronic registry is established across the EU, interested businesses and projects will be able to apply for QU.A.L.ITY certification.