Carbon footprint calculator for European farms: preliminary results of the testing phase

Abstract

To facilitate the adoption of low-carbon farming practices in Europe, the European Commission developed a carbon calculator that assesses greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and recommends mitigation actions suitable for each farm. The Carbon Calculator, which quantifies GHG emissions based on international standards for life cycle assessment and carbon footprinting, delivers carbon footprint results both at the farm and product level. To best fine-tune the calculator, a testing phase was conducted by calculating the carbon footprints of 54 farms located in seven European countries that were characterized by a variety of different practices and products. Wide variation was found in the carbon footprints quantified within each product group. This variation can be explained by different levels of input use, crop yields and other farming practices. It was concluded that the calculator can help EU farmers identify actions that could lead to substantial reductions in the carbon footprints of their farms and products.