GREEN FARM

Introduction

The land use, land-use change, and forestry sector (LULUCF) cover the entire territory of Lithuania and all agricultural land. It contributes to implementing climate change mitigation goals by absorbing GHGs in soil, living biomass, wood, etc.

Expansion of LULUCF

The EC proposes to expand this sector's scope and include all agriculture in LULUCF from 2031. According to the EC proposal, until 2035, this common agricultural and forestry (AFOLU) sector must achieve climate neutrality at the EU level. The regulation is being revised to increase the sector's absorption and integrate agricultural and forestry into climate change management policies.

Need for a Unified Ecosystem Model

A systematic and unified ecosystem model is needed for a more accurate, objective, and reliable AFOLU sector GHG assessment (based on national values and factors). The development of a regulatory framework for certifying carbon removals is essential, based on robust and transparent carbon accounting to monitor and verify their authenticity as part of the Circular Economy Action Plan. This should be rewarded, either via the common agricultural policy (CAP) or other public or private initiatives (carbon market).

Strategic Challenge

The project faces a strategic challenge: achieving national and EU climate change mitigation and adaptation targets by enabling systemic change in part of Lithuania's AFOLU sector and governance regarding GHG emission reduction and implementing carbon farming initiatives.

Cost Minimization and Collective Efforts

Minimizing the monetary cost and work involved in Measurement Reporting and Verification programs will require collectivizing farmers' efforts. GFARM for LIFE will refine the current state-of-the-art technology for whole-farm and forestry land GHG monitoring by using various data sources, including:

1. Direct farming activities data
2. Farm machinery telematic data declared
3. Data from public sector institutions
4. EO-based and soil sampling data
5. Integration of additional data

This will be based on a holistic framework that will enable and support the transition towards carbon farming practices.