OrganicClimateNET, a €4.9 million research initiative funded by the European Commission and the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), has reached the halfway point of its four‑year mission to accelerate climate‑conscious practices within Europe’s organic farming community. From 2024 to 2028, 17 partners across 14 European countries are working to support farmers in reducing emissions, enhancing resilience, and securing stronger policy recognition for climate‑positive organic agriculture.
On 1 February 2026, the project marked its midterm milestone, offering an opportunity to put in perspective the progress achieved so far. One of the most tangible developments has been the establishment of a dynamic network of more than 250 organic farmers across 12 European countries. Network diversity spans climates: Farms range from sea level to over 1200 meters elevation, with varied rainfall and temperatures, reflecting Europe’s climatic diversity and enhancing the network’s capacity for climate adaptation and mitigation research. Participants own predominantly mixed crop-livestock farms (70%), i.e., arms rearing animals and having grassland or annual fodder crop to feed them. Arable and permanent crop farms making up the rest. A survey of farmers identified extreme weather events and water management as the most significant climate-related challenges, particularly in southern Europe. Notably, 20% of respondents reported irrigating sections of their farms, emphasizing the importance of technical solutions and knowledge exchange among agricultural professionals. Concerns regarding soil protection were also prominent, especially among arable land farmers. OrganicClimateNET’s farm characterisation revealed that peat soils are present on 24% of surveyed farms, highlighting the critical role of soil conservation within broader climate adaptation strategies.
To deepen collaboration, the project organised a series of three international farm visits, grouping participants by sector — livestock, permanent crops, and arable systems — so that farmers could observe practices relevant to their own production systems. These exchanges have proven instrumental in sharing practical, climate‑smart solutions. Nine additional visits are planned for the second half of the project.
Alongside these farmer‑to‑farmer activities, OrganicClimateNET has developed a comprehensive catalogue of organic carbon‑farming practices, providing clear guidance on strategies for mitigation and adaptation, each assessed for co‑benefits, risks, and feasibility. Building on this practical foundation, the project utilised two established carbon balance tools — CAP’2ER and the Farm Carbon Calculator — to support farmers in assessing their climate impact. In 2026, trained farmer leaders will begin offering hands‑on guidance to network members, helping them quantify their emissions, estimate sequestration potential, and design tailored pathways to become more climate‑smart.
These efforts are complemented by the expansion of resources available on the Organic Farm Knowledge platform. Over 70 materials have already been translated or newly developed, and the project aims to make at least 120 documents available by its conclusion. The topics reflect the real priorities and challenges discussed in the field, from water management and biodiversity to manure strategies and advisory approaches, ensuring that farmers and advisors have access to relevant, high‑quality support materials.
While the project focuses on technical and practical advancements, it also recognises that these improvements take place within a broader policy landscape. During its first two years, OrganicClimateNET conducted an extensive analysis of EU policies relevant to organic climate farming. The findings highlight both the opportunities and constraints embedded in current policy instruments, underscoring the need for frameworks that reward and incentivise the broad uptake of organic climate practices. This work, together with the results of a stakeholder workshop conducted by OrganicClimateNET, formed the basis of the first of four policy briefs, prepared jointly with the Climate Farm Demo initiative. Over the next two years, these policy briefs will be discussed further through a series of workshops and stakeholder exchanges.
The progress made in all these areas converged visibly at BIOFACH 2026, where OrganicClimateNET took part in one of the world’s leading organic fairs. During a workshop co‑organised with OrganicAdviceNetwork as part of TP Organic’s Science Day, project partners shared their experiences in knowledge‑exchange initiatives, emphasising how peer‑to‑peer learning accelerates the adoption of practical solutions. Participants then explored ways to strengthen knowledge flows within the organic sector and identified the tools that best support effective advisory work.
Throughout the fair, visitors also engaged with the project’s team at the OrganicClimateNET booth. Conversations highlighted not only the urgency of addressing climate change but also the strong appetite within the organic community for collaboration and innovation. Many visitors expressed interest in upcoming activities, particularly individual carbon assessments, field‑testing of climate‑smart practices, and the experiences in peer‑to‑peer learning at national and international levels.
Altogether, OrganicClimateNET demonstrates the European Union’s commitment to driving environmental sustainability and showcases the vital role organic farming can play in building a climate‑neutral, resilient agricultural system. As the project enters its next phase, it continues to lay the scientific, practical, and political groundwork for a future in which agriculture not only feeds Europe but also supports the health of its ecosystems.
Fonte: OrganicClimateNET
