The LIFE OLIVER project, coordinated by the University of Perugia and funded by the European Union’s LIFE program, aims to develop and certify an international standard that allows olive sector producers to access the CO₂ credit market. The adoption of sustainable agronomic practices will increase carbon sequestration in the soil and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the olive sector, according to Asaja-Jaén on its website. This organization participates in the project along with the University of Jaén and IFAPA.
The fertility of olive groves and their ability to act as a source or sink of CO₂ is determined by the dynamics of organic carbon flow in the soil. However, the crucial role of this organic carbon compartment has been overlooked, as traditionally, carbon flows in olive groves have only been associated with atmospheric CO₂ absorption through photosynthesis and its storage as organic carbon in olive tree biomass. These flows are influenced by various agronomic activities, such as maintaining a vegetation cover, applying shredded pruning residues, reducing tillage, or using organic fertilizer amendments like composted alperujo, manure, or biochar. These practices not only enhance carbon sequestration but also improve biodiversity and soil resilience against erosion and drought.
The carbon footprint of olive groves represents the total amount of CO₂-equivalent emissions generated throughout the crop’s life cycle, from soil preparation to oil production. If the amount of CO₂ removed from the atmosphere by the olive grove exceeds the sum of CO₂ emissions from the agroecosystem and the emissions generated by field operations, the olive grove will act as a CO₂ sink and, therefore, contribute to mitigating climate change.
Project Objective
The main objective of LIFE OLIVER is to develop a methodology that combines simplicity with scientific rigor to estimate the additional amount of CO₂ that could be sequestered by implementing more sustainable management practices than those used in recent years. This objective is part of the so-called "Carbon Farming", one of the most recent terms gaining traction in the agricultural sector. Carbon Farming refers to agricultural practices that help store atmospheric carbon in agricultural soils, thus contributing to the prevention of the greenhouse effect.
In a Carbon Farming project, an authorized intermediary certifies whether, since the olive farm began implementing a set of more sustainable agronomic practices, there has been a reduction in its carbon footprint. This may seem straightforward if we consider that the starting point (known as the "baseline") is the CO₂ footprint at the beginning of the project. However, it remains to be determined what reference value the EU will establish for the baseline.
In any case, if more CO₂ is sequestered through the Carbon Farming project than in the baseline scenario, CO₂ credits are generated, which can be traded on the voluntary market. This provides farmers with a new source of income while promoting the adoption of sustainable practices.
On March 6th, a workshop was held at the ASAJA Jaén facilities to explain these concepts to a large group of farmers from the province of Jaén. The presentation was led by José Liétor Gallego and Pablo Domouso de Agar, researchers from the research group led by Roberto García Ruiz, Professor of Ecology at the University of Jaén.
Following the presentation, a brief survey was distributed to assess the interest of the participating farmers and the potential challenges they might face in implementing Carbon Farming practices.
Additionally, attendees received a poster in which José Liétor Gallego summarizes some of the key concepts that often cause confusion when discussing the carbon footprint of olive groves. We invite you to download it by clicking on the following LINK.
In conclusion, LIFE OLIVER project is born with the mission of transforming olive grove agriculture into an environmentally responsible and economically sustainable sector. Moving towards a more efficient carbon capture model not only helps mitigate climate change but also reflects the commitment of our farmers to the development of their communities and the creation of a future full of opportunities.
