The European Commission is developing a low-carbon certification framework for agricultural and forestry projects. Initial methodologies specifying the quantification of carbon storage and emission reductions are currently being drafted.
On March 4-6, 2025, the European Carbon Farming Summit was held in Dublin. This event, organized by the European project CREDIBLE, brought together farmers, experts, researchers, and key players in the agricultural sector. The summit aimed to provide recommendations to the Commission regarding this certification framework and the methodologies set to be published this year.
The LIFE Carbon Farming project was present and had the opportunity to share recommendations based on the work carried out by its field partners.
Training for Better Support
During Tuesday’s plenary session, discussions emphasized the importance of training advisors and farmers in carbon farming using a systemic approach that integrates economic aspects. The LIFE Carbon Farming project aligns with this perspective by training advisors in six European countries on implementing low-carbon action plans on farms and carbon certification.
Diversity of Carbon Audit Tools
A review of carbon audit tools used across Europe was shared with the Commission. A variety of tools exist, tailored to each country’s specific needs, and advisors are already familiar with them. Therefore, it is crucial not to impose a single tool for low-carbon certification but rather to establish a set of criteria that each tool must meet.
Currently, three tools are used within the LIFE Carbon Farming project:
• Agnav in Ireland
• BovidCO2 in Spain
• CAP’2ER in other countries
In the latter case, this highlighted the challenges of using the same tool across very different production systems.
The French Low-Carbon Label: An Inspiring Model
The summit frequently referenced the experience of the French Low-Carbon Label. The discussions underscored the need to assess the economic impact of low-carbon projects on farms and to consider the risks taken by farmers in adopting these practices.
One of the key objectives of the LIFE Carbon Farming project is to quantify the cost of the transition, including:
• Investment requirements
• Operational costs at the farm level
• Support for farmers, including training, project certification, and risk management
A Platform to Support the Transition
In collaboration with Teagasc and Climate KIC, the “Farming for Climate” platform was presented in a parallel session. Developed within the Climate Farm Demo, ClieNFarms, Climate Smart Advisors, and OrganicClimateNET projects, this platform is designed for advisors and farmers.
It will compile knowledge on:
• Climate adaptation and mitigation practices applicable on farms
• Existing carbon audit tools across Europe
• Advisory tools and methods to better support farmers in their transition
A first version of the platform will be launched in April 2025.
This project is co-funded by the LIFE Programs of the European Commission
