Farming Practices Evidence Library: A tool for agricultural sustainability

The JRC has launched the Farming Practices Evidence Library, a comprehensive dataset that compiles scientific insights on the environmental and climate effects of different farming methods. Accompanied by a user-friendly dashboard, this tool provides accessible, science-based evidence for policymakers, farmers, and researchers. 

The Evidence Library allows users to analyze and compare data on farming practices impacts, while also summarizing key research findings. 

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Supporting sustainable agricultural policies and practices 

A recent European Commission study used information from the Library to assess the climate change mitigation potential of 19 Common Agricultural Policy 2023-2027 Strategic Plans. The data was used for evaluating measures aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving soil quality, and optimizing nutrient management.  

The analysis revealed that these plans could reduce emissions from the EU by at least 31 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) annually, mainly through improved soil carbon sequestration and lower emissions from practices such as crop rotation, cover cropping, or organic farming.  

The Evidence Library can also support stakeholders in improving, for example, water management. A recent analysis drew on the library to identify 15 farming practices that are potentially beneficial to reduce water usage and improve its quality, such as agroforestry and cover crops. 

By linking research results to specific environmental indicators, the library makes it easier to evaluate agricultural interventions and to design policies that improve both environmental and climate sustainability. 

• News article
• 22 November 2024

Estimating the climate change mitigation potential of CAP Strategic Plans

The Commission’s latest study highlights the potential of CAP Strategic Plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 31 million tonnes annually.

Supporting a wide range of applications 

Beyond policy evaluation, the evidence library benefits a diverse set of stakeholders, such as modelers to refine biophysical and agro-economic models, helping to simulate policy measures and to assess their impacts ex-ante.  
 
The library, which is based on a comprehensive data collection of meta-analysis evidence, can also serve as a foundation for sustainable agriculture benchmarking systems, supporting certification efforts aligned with the EU Sustainable Finance Taxonomy.  

Furthermore, researchers, farmers’ associations, and NGOs involved in sustainable agriculture would rely on this knowledge to gain insights into the effects of different farming practices on the environment.  

On the basis of the Library, the scientific community can also map knowledge gaps and address future research efforts. 

Background 

The JRC Farming Practices Evidence Library is part of the research and scientific support that JRC offers for Agriculture and Food Policy Analysis.  

Recently, the JRC also published the EU Food System Monitoring dashboard and the EU Soil Degradation dashboard.  

Through this sort of initiative, the JRC supports the European Commission in designing, implementing, and evaluating the Common Agricultural Policy and related policies, contributing to the future of sustainable EU agriculture and food. 

Related links:  

Commission Communication: A Vision for Agriculture and Food