Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ClieNFarms (Climate Neutral Farms)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2022-01-01 al 2023-06-30
Supporting the Farm to Fork strategy, contributing to the achievement of its objectives, the ClieNFarms project aims to demonstrate, evaluate and improve technical, organisational and economic solutions at farm level that will contribute to achieving climate-neutrality of European agriculture by 2050. This will be done through a multi-actor approach, interactively integrating and improving proven solutions to achieve economically viable business models in farming systems by involving farmers, extension services, agri-food business, policymakers, finance and citizens. These solutions will be disseminated, and specific capacity building will target young farmers.
The core operational focus of ClieNFarms is the case-study structure that aims to empower farmers and supply chain actors to adopt, disseminate and replicate systemic innovative solutions. This so-called I3S (Innovative Systemic Solutions Space) is based on demonstration farms, lead commercial farms, outreach farms and replication farms working all together with the supply chain in a living-lab like structure approach. The project is vastly innovative. It: 1) integrates different systemic solutions to embrace mixed crop farming systems as well as animal production systems; 2) accounts for bio- geophysical and physical effects associated with changes in management practices; 3) moves from farm level to larger system level either through farm networks or by involving supply chains in a multi-actor designed process; 4) validates integrative solutions and develop rewarding incentives to engage farmers in the required transition. Side-effects on food security, yield/product quality, biodiversity or non-renewable resources will also be assessed.
The core operational focus of ClieNFarms is the case-study structure that aims to empower farmers and supply chain actors to adopt, disseminate and replicate systemic innovative solutions. This so-called I3S (Innovative Systemic Solutions Space) is based on demonstration farms, lead commercial farms, outreach farms and replication farms working all together with the supply chain in a living-lab like structure approach. The project is vastly innovative. It: 1) integrates different systemic solutions to embrace mixed crop farming systems as well as animal production systems; 2) accounts for bio- geophysical and physical effects associated with changes in management practices; 3) moves from farm level to larger system level either through farm networks or by involving supply chains in a multi-actor designed process; 4) validates integrative solutions and develop rewarding incentives to engage farmers in the required transition. Side-effects on food security, yield/product quality, biodiversity or non-renewable resources will also be assessed.
During this first reporting period (18 months RP1) the main objectives of the project were to develop and align the concepts and methodologies between the different WPs and to start the field and the communication works.
WP1 aims at establishing a well-functioning European network of actors. During RP1, the network of the 20 I3Ss coordinators was set-up. 6 themes were chosen to exchange on agricultural practices to reduce GHG emission and increase C storage: Livestock, Crops and special crops, Carbon sequestration, Low carbon energy production, Integrated Environmental sustainability, other approaches. Several on-line and physical meetings were organised in order to exchange knowledge and cross-fertilize on the different thematic areas. The first version of the catalogue of climate mitigation solutions was developed and published on the web site. The work on the baseline assessment and measures on lead commercial farms was started.
WP2 is the methodological work package. During RP1, we designed the methodologies to assess and implement climate-neutral solutions at farm level. We have: 1) set-up and tested the methodology of the creative arena (participatory cocreation of systemic solutions at farm level); 2) finalized modeler contributions (list of models with a SWOT analysis); 3) prepared data requirement sheets for the contributing models; 4) collected data for demonstration and lead commercial farms; 5) defined metrics and standards for soil organic carbon surveys for I3Ss; 6) gathered and evaluated MRV methodologies (Monitor, Report, Verify Data) for C crediting and multiple criteria analysis; 7) elaborated to what extend the country specific tools can provide a basis for integral sustainability indicator analyses. Different remote meetings were organised and recorded in order to explain the different issues.
WP3 is the “on-the-field” work package. During RP1, we identified the coordinators, the demonstration and the lead commercial farms (DFs/LCFs) for each I3S. We started data collection from DFs and some LCFs. Several creative arenas have been run (Ireland, Portugal, UK) and we developed a guideline for demonstration events.
WP4 is the upscaling work package. During RP1 we: i) developed a draft framework to support the scaling up and scaling out of the I3S solutions in European farming and started the work on collection of tools for the scaling toolbox; 2) defined the sourcing districts and farm archetypes for upscaling in the supply chain for the 10 selected I3S; 3) developed a prototype carbon allowances platform with automated certification processes.
WP5 aims at building strong cooperation with the European Commission and establish synergies with other selected projects of this call. During RP1, we have: 1) contributed to the discussions on the EU Carbon Removal Certification Framework and organised a workshop with the EU Commission on this topic; 2) organized and run a workshop on “food security vs Green Deal objectives”; 3) developed an overview of programs and projects related to prepared and proposed an outreach and engagement plan with other EU projects (e.g. Climate Farm Demo, but also out of the EU scope with the Global Research Alliance). We also participated in the activities of the Green Deal Support Office and organized a first synergy workshop with projects having similar objectives as ClieNFarms; 4) established an International Advisory Board and organized its two first meetings.
WP6 is the communication, dissemination and exploitation work package. During RP1, we: 1) delivered the C,D&E plan defining the communication and dissemination strategy, the project corporate image and identity, the different target audiences and messages to communicate and the communication tools and channels used to disseminate the results; 2) developed an engagement strategy for the established social media channels (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube); 3) developed a dedicated project website ; 4) produced a series of dissemination materials including targeted flyers, for the general public and for farmers, an institutional presentation that can be adapted to different events, a rollup, videos and a digital newsletter, that will help to reach and engage the different food chain actors; 5) run several IMG meetings in order to identify issues regarding IP.
WP7 is the coordination work package. During RP1, we: 1) set-up an ExCom with a monthly meeting, performed a KOM and a first annual meeting to exchange around the project, participated to a great number of WP meetings to help to the alignment of the different steps of the project (as PC); 3) developed a comprehensive and easy-to-use SharePoint with a guideline for users and developed some mailing lists to simplify interactions, kept track of the different interactions and questions; 4) used several times the Klaxoon facility to manage debates; 5) set-up different zoom meetings to explain points; 6) we set up the first payment, organised the two general meetings (KOM and AM1), proposed different actions for cross WP works (Klaxoon boards, collective intelligent sessions…).
Many trans work package meetings were also organized to use the collective intelligence on some topics (creative arena, upscaling tool box, reservoir of solutions …) and to support smooth alignment and productive collaboration.
WP1 aims at establishing a well-functioning European network of actors. During RP1, the network of the 20 I3Ss coordinators was set-up. 6 themes were chosen to exchange on agricultural practices to reduce GHG emission and increase C storage: Livestock, Crops and special crops, Carbon sequestration, Low carbon energy production, Integrated Environmental sustainability, other approaches. Several on-line and physical meetings were organised in order to exchange knowledge and cross-fertilize on the different thematic areas. The first version of the catalogue of climate mitigation solutions was developed and published on the web site. The work on the baseline assessment and measures on lead commercial farms was started.
WP2 is the methodological work package. During RP1, we designed the methodologies to assess and implement climate-neutral solutions at farm level. We have: 1) set-up and tested the methodology of the creative arena (participatory cocreation of systemic solutions at farm level); 2) finalized modeler contributions (list of models with a SWOT analysis); 3) prepared data requirement sheets for the contributing models; 4) collected data for demonstration and lead commercial farms; 5) defined metrics and standards for soil organic carbon surveys for I3Ss; 6) gathered and evaluated MRV methodologies (Monitor, Report, Verify Data) for C crediting and multiple criteria analysis; 7) elaborated to what extend the country specific tools can provide a basis for integral sustainability indicator analyses. Different remote meetings were organised and recorded in order to explain the different issues.
WP3 is the “on-the-field” work package. During RP1, we identified the coordinators, the demonstration and the lead commercial farms (DFs/LCFs) for each I3S. We started data collection from DFs and some LCFs. Several creative arenas have been run (Ireland, Portugal, UK) and we developed a guideline for demonstration events.
WP4 is the upscaling work package. During RP1 we: i) developed a draft framework to support the scaling up and scaling out of the I3S solutions in European farming and started the work on collection of tools for the scaling toolbox; 2) defined the sourcing districts and farm archetypes for upscaling in the supply chain for the 10 selected I3S; 3) developed a prototype carbon allowances platform with automated certification processes.
WP5 aims at building strong cooperation with the European Commission and establish synergies with other selected projects of this call. During RP1, we have: 1) contributed to the discussions on the EU Carbon Removal Certification Framework and organised a workshop with the EU Commission on this topic; 2) organized and run a workshop on “food security vs Green Deal objectives”; 3) developed an overview of programs and projects related to prepared and proposed an outreach and engagement plan with other EU projects (e.g. Climate Farm Demo, but also out of the EU scope with the Global Research Alliance). We also participated in the activities of the Green Deal Support Office and organized a first synergy workshop with projects having similar objectives as ClieNFarms; 4) established an International Advisory Board and organized its two first meetings.
WP6 is the communication, dissemination and exploitation work package. During RP1, we: 1) delivered the C,D&E plan defining the communication and dissemination strategy, the project corporate image and identity, the different target audiences and messages to communicate and the communication tools and channels used to disseminate the results; 2) developed an engagement strategy for the established social media channels (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube); 3) developed a dedicated project website ; 4) produced a series of dissemination materials including targeted flyers, for the general public and for farmers, an institutional presentation that can be adapted to different events, a rollup, videos and a digital newsletter, that will help to reach and engage the different food chain actors; 5) run several IMG meetings in order to identify issues regarding IP.
WP7 is the coordination work package. During RP1, we: 1) set-up an ExCom with a monthly meeting, performed a KOM and a first annual meeting to exchange around the project, participated to a great number of WP meetings to help to the alignment of the different steps of the project (as PC); 3) developed a comprehensive and easy-to-use SharePoint with a guideline for users and developed some mailing lists to simplify interactions, kept track of the different interactions and questions; 4) used several times the Klaxoon facility to manage debates; 5) set-up different zoom meetings to explain points; 6) we set up the first payment, organised the two general meetings (KOM and AM1), proposed different actions for cross WP works (Klaxoon boards, collective intelligent sessions…).
Many trans work package meetings were also organized to use the collective intelligence on some topics (creative arena, upscaling tool box, reservoir of solutions …) and to support smooth alignment and productive collaboration.
After these first 18 months the project is on very good track. Internally, the different WPs are well aligned thanks to several meetings. First results have been displayed on the web site. Different actions either with the farmer’s surrounding ecosystem or with policy makers have been implemented. For the coming RP these initial seeds will grow and will allow for a larger impact of our project.