Development of a Baseline for CRCF certification of bio-based constructions in Germany

Abstract

Decarbonisation strategies are increasingly shifting from emission avoidance towards CO₂ removal and storage, creating new opportunities for the building sector. To certify such projects, the European Union has ratified the Carbon Removal and Carbon Farming Regulation (CRCF) in December 2024. This framework enables certification of CO₂ storage in biogenic construction materials such as wood, hemp, or mycelium. This study addresses exclusively the “Quantification” criterion and the associated needed baselines as reference values for quantified CO₂ storage in buildings. The objectives of the study are to evaluate the quality of open data sources and to develop on that basis a methodological approach for deriving standardized baselines, for different building types and on a national basis. For the development of the standardized baselines regarding the German building sector, a top-down approach was applied, combining primary and secondary sources, i.e. statistical and empirical datasets. Industry-level data were hierarchically prioritised, and averages were employed to approximate standard practices. Findings demonstrate that statistical data alone are insufficient for robust baseline development under the CRCF and should be complemented by empirical values. Insulation materials represent a key optimisation point due to their significant emission potential, while the definition of reference buildings per typology is essential since storage values cannot be reliably transferred across structures. Data quality varies by material, and most datasets lack A4 or A5 modules being a necessity for CRCF certification. This study offers a methodological framework for baseline development and highlights existing data constraints. The results support effective CRCF implementation in the building sector.