Agroecology helps combat climate change. This is demonstrated by a joint study by the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa and ISARA-Lyon

The study, published in the journal Agronomy for Sustainable Development, reviewed over 16,000 scientific publications to assess the effects of multiple agroecological strategies compared to conventional agricultural practices. ‘The combined adoption of agroecological practices can significantly reduce the impact of climate change,’ says Prof. Paolo Barberi

Agroecological practices are valuable allies in mitigating climate change. This is the conclusion of a study coordinated by the Institute of Plant Sciences at the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa and published in the journal Agronomy for Sustainable Development. The study, the result of a collaboration between the Agroecology Group of the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies and the Centre for Living Agroecology and Food Systems at ISARA in Lyon, examined over 16,000 scientific publications to assess the effects of the combined application of two or more agroecological practices compared to their counterparts in conventional agriculture. This impressive review shows that agroecological farming practices contribute to climate change mitigation, in particular to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane) and to increased carbon sequestration.

‘This work highlights that the combined adoption of agroecological practices can significantly reduce the impact of climate change,’ comments Paolo Barberi, full professor of Agronomy and Herbaceous Crops at the Institute of Plant Sciences of the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies and coordinator of the study.

Enhancing sustainability and biodiversity

Agroecology is a science that applies the principles of ecology to agri-food systems to create more sustainable, resilient and equitable agroecosystems and supply chains. The joint study by Isara and the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies analysed some of the main agricultural practices, such as reduced tillage, the use of cover crops, crop residue management, soil fertilisation and crop rotation.

The results showed that agroecological practices have a lower impact on climate change and produce more positive results than conventional methods. In particular, the most scientifically relevant finding was the higher carbon sequestration.

The outlook

The results obtained represent initial evidence of the impact of agroecology on climate change.

‘It will be important to deepen the analysis, including information on previous crops and crop rotations, and to better assess the extent of the positive and negative effects, particularly those related to the use of organic fertilisers and methane emissions,’ concludes Prof. Barberi.