EU: Potential reduction of 31 mn tons of CO2 from the CAP

(ANSA) - ROME, NOV 25 - The CAP 2023-2027 strategic plans could help eliminate up to 31 million tons of CO2 per year in the European Union.
    This estimate comes from a study published by the European Commission on the climate change mitigation potential of 19 out of 27 national plans for the implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy, including the Italian plan.
    According to the study, agricultural practices such as crop rotation or diversification, the expansion of cover crops, and the conversion to organic farming contribute 78% to the estimated mitigation potential. Eco-schemes—the main innovation in the current CAP—represent 38% of the estimated mitigation potential, while environmental and climate commitments under rural development and environmental conditionalities contribute 30% and 27%, respectively. The analysis also indicates a potential contribution from the plans to protect existing carbon sinks, amounting to 29 million tons of CO2.
    Brussels clarifies in the document that these figures remain a potential estimate of the contribution, while the full realization of this potential and the extent of their contribution to the 2030 climate goals will depend on the final adoption of measures by governments. The European Commission also notes that a comprehensive analysis of all 27 national strategic plans is expected to be published in early 2025.
    #IMCAP Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
    (ANSA).