Low-Carbon Certification Systems in Agriculture: A Review
Source abstract
Abstract
The use of certification systems in agriculture mitigates greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and promotes sustainable low-carbon practices. Their implementation contributes to the rational use of resources and results in the development of a human-centric economy that prioritizes people’s actual needs towards sustainable economic growth. Some low-carbon certification systems for agricultural products have been developed in European Union (EU) countries and elsewhere; however, their reliability in assessing agricultural emissions at the farm level and the anticipated benefits are not yet adequately justified. This review paper presents and discusses the most important existing certification systems, namely, Solagro, Label bas Carbone/LCL, LEAF Marque Standard, and Wineries for Climate Protection, the one being developed in the frame of the ClimaMED LIFE project, and the one developed almost 10 years ago in the Republic of Korea. The structure of these systems and their benefits and challenges are discussed. More emphasis is given to the EU certification schemes and the impact they may have towards meeting the targets of the Green Deal, which aims to reduce GHG emissions at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels and make Europe climate neutral by 2050.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Agriculture Sustainability and Environmental Impact
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
School of Mineral Resources Engineering, Technical University of Crete, Kounoupidiana Campus, GR-73100 Chania, Greece
Laboratory of Non Parasitic Diseases, Soil Resources and Geoinformatics, Department of Phytopathology, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, GR-14561 Athens, Greece
Funding
European Commission (LIFE+ Environment Policy & Governance)
References (79)
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