Quantifying the impact of sustainable farming practices on environment and climate

Agriculture plays a pivotal role in meeting global food demands and maintaining socio-economic stability. However, some agricultural practices may negatively contribute to environmental concerns such as greenhouse gas emissions, nutrient losses, and biodiversity decline, impacting climate change, water quality and quantity, and ecosystem functioning. In response, the European Commission (EC) fosters the integration of environmental sustainability within agricultural policy frameworks, including the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). In this context, identifying sustainable farming practices is crucial for achieving the EU's sustainability objectives, in particular to assess the environmental and climate performance of the agricultural sector. To support this, we present in this report a comprehensive collection of coefficients quantifying the environmental impacts of farming practices. Focusing on greenhouse gas emissions, carbon sequestration, and nutrient losses, these coefficients are sourced from scientific articles, primarily meta-analyses, which have been reviewed through systematic literature analysis. They offer valuable insights into the effects of different agricultural management options, directly relevant to assess the likely impacts of CAP interventions on the environment and the climate. The report presents a collection of over 100 tables containing quantitative coefficients that assess the environmental impacts of 35 farming practices (ranging from single farming practices to cropping systems or conservation and restoration actions), offering clear links to specific scholar references, along with detailed contextual information. This work is part of the iMAP4agri project, commissioned by the EC's Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI) to the Joint Research Centre (JRC), drawing on experience from previous CAP periods and materials developed for the current policy cycle. By synthesizing existing meta-analyses and applying a systematic review framework, we ensure a robust and transparent approach that can be implemented within the time and data availability constraints of policymaking processes.

JRC.D.5 - Food Security