EURAF Policy Briefing 8. Agroforestry for Carbon Farming
01 Oct 2020
EURAF’s 8th Agroforestry Policy Briefing looks in detail at the carbon-sequestration potential of agroforestry systems. Literature results ranging from 0.3 to 7 tonnes carbon/ha/yr are listed, but the low values are normally based on low numbers of trees (in hedges for example). A 30-year silvopastoral trial with ash demonstrated average sequestration of 3.4 tC/ha/yr. Agroforestry generally meets the carbon-project requirements for permanence (mainly produces construction timber, and has deep-soil impacts); leakage (N2O and ammonia reductions and animals can stay longer outdoors) and additionality (agroforestry needs incentives to cover the establishment and maintenance costs) – but has high environmental benefits to society.
The latest update of this policy briefing (April 2024) includes sections on:
a) carbon sequestration in agroforestry;
b) EU carbon farming policy timeline;
c) certification of removals and reductions;
d) sharing data at local, regional and national level;
e) synergies between the CRCF and other EU policies;
f) looking further forward.