The C-OLIVAR Operational Group has presented new findings that support the economic potential of olive groves as carbon sinks. It estimates that farmers within the Estepa Protected Designation of Origin (P.D.O.) could earn over 20 million euros over a five-year period through the sale of credits on the voluntary carbon market.
This estimate is based on data collected from a sample of 440 hectares, across 15 farms belonging to the Sor Ángela de la Cruz S.C.A. cooperative (Estepa), which demonstrated the potential to generate up to 5,974 carbon credits.
When this ratio is extrapolated to the entire area covered by the Estepa P.D.O.—a total of 50,000 hectares of olive groves—it results in a projected income of 20 million euros. This highlights the enormous potential of this traditional crop, not only as an ally in combating climate change but also as a real and viable source of income for farmers.
The C-OLIVAR project asserts that the carbon sequestration potential of olive groves could increase significantly if sustainable agricultural practices associated with “carbon farming” were widely adopted. These include the application of compost made from olive pomace, active management of ground cover, and the regular use of manure.
According to the technical team’s calculations, under this regenerative management model, each farm could sequester between 7.5 and 20.6 tonnes of CO₂ per hectare over five years. This represents a significant improvement compared to the conventional management practices observed to date.
Figure.–Marketable CO₂ tons in 15 olive farms of the Sor Ángela de la Cruz cooperative (Estepa P.D.O.) as a result of a five-year carbon farming project. The figures inside the pink circles indicate the potential income (in thousands of euros) that farm owners could earn if they sold the net captured CO₂ tons on the voluntary carbon market (1 ton = 1 carbon credit). The size of the circles is proportional to the estimated economic value.
This calculation, as explained above, translates into the potential generation of up to 5,974 carbon credits over five years across the analyzed farms. On the voluntary carbon market, this could represent approximately 180,000 euros in income, just for those 440 hectares. This additional revenue would strengthen the economic sustainability of olive cultivation while also contributing to the fight against climate change.
A commitment to sustainability with a dual impact: environmental and economic
The C-OLIVAR project not only confirms the key role of olive groves as carbon sinks, but also paves the way for an agricultural model that financially rewards producers for their contribution to climate change mitigation. Carbon farming thus emerges as a strategic tool for the future of Andalusian olive groves, integrating sustainability, innovation, and profitability.
“We are facing an opportunity with enormous economic potential for the Estepa P.D.O. olive sector, which could translate into more than 20 million euros in income over five years if we embrace a model based on carbon farming,” stated Moisés Caballero, Secretary General of the Estepa Protected Designation of Origin.
“This study shows that olive groves not only play a key role in combating climate change, but can also provide a real path to profitability for our farmers, rewarding good practices and strengthening the sustainability of the Andalusian olive-growing model.”
Sources: www.c-olivar.com; 3th, June 2025
