Developing carbon offset certification and trading platform for Mediterranean carbon farming

Mediterranean farmers face barriers in transitioning to regenerative agriculture, including limited financial incentives and lack of accessible certification systems for climate benefits. Olive and almond farming, covering over 8 million hectares, holds significant potential for reducing emissions and increasing carbon storage.

FARMPACT de-risks the transition to regenerative agriculture by introducing an innovative, ISO-aligned methodology for carbon offset certification tailored to Mediterranean perennial crops-especially olives and almonds. The approach measures emission reductions and carbon removals in a traceable, field-specific manner, offering farmers an accessible way to earn income through verified carbon credits.

A dedicated trading platform ensures full transparency, allowing agrifood businesses to meet their net-zero goals by purchasing high-quality, location-specific offsets. Third-party verification and advanced satellite monitoring guarantee the credibility of each credit issued.

How it works:

• Flexible approach: Farmers are not required to adopt specific practices. Any set of activities that leads to measurable greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions or increased carbon storage—compared to a local baseline—is eligible. This allows tailored solutions adapted to each farm’s conditions.

   

• Reliable baselines: FARMPACT uses three reference points to evaluate improvements: (1) GHG emissions from conventional farming, (2) soil organic carbon from nearby non-orchard fields, and (3) zero woody biomass as the default before orchard establishment. These ensure realistic and locally adapted comparisons.

   

• Digital monitoring: Satellite images, geo-tagged photos, farm records, and soil samples are collected using user-friendly digital tools. These inputs are processed by automated systems (CropLab, CO2Agri, Find&Collect) to calculate carbon offsets with minimal burden on farmers.

   

• Independent verification: All data is reviewed by third-party experts. Once verified, carbon offsets are certified and assigned unique serial numbers. These are listed on the upgraded AGRIMP trading platform, ensuring transparency and traceability for buyers.

   

Expected outcomes

• A certified methodology for olives and almonds
• Automated MRV platform for carbon certification
• Digital marketplace for offset trading
• First certified carbon offsets by end of 2025

Impact

• Farmers gain new revenue, lower input costs, and more resilient soil systems
• Agri-food companies can offset supply chain emissions and improve product LCA
• Communities benefit from increased rural employment and climate-smart practices
• Offset buyers access credible, traceable carbon credits with measurable local impact

FARMPACT supports EU climate and food goals, contributing to the Green Deal, Farm to Fork Strategy, and Common Agricultural Policy.