Strategic Agricultural De-Intensification in the EU Could Significantly Reduce Carbon Emissions and Enhance Biodiversity

Strategic Insights -

A new policy brief, produced as part of the LAMASUS project, highlights the potential for strategic agricultural de-intensification in the EU to reduce agricultural carbon emissions by nearly a third and considerably improve biodiversity recovery. The study, conducted by the LAMASUS consortium, reveals several key insights with strategic implications for EU agricultural policy, including the importance of policy areas such as fertilisation, grassland and grazing management, and landscape conservation.

Key Takeaways:

  • Strategic agricultural de-intensification in the EU could reduce agricultural carbon emissions by nearly a third.
  • The study identifies five key CAP policy areas that could help foster agricultural de-intensification: fertilisation policies, grassland and grazing policies, landscape conservation measures, plant protection policies, and low-input farming systems.
  • The researchers highlight the need to ensure that policy efforts are focused where they deliver the greatest impact and achieve climate and biodiversity goals without compromising food security.
  • The LAMASUS study emphasizes the potential for win-win areas where co-benefits for both climate and biodiversity can be achieved at minimal economic cost.
  • Leopold Ringwald, coauthor of the study, comments on the importance of recognizing the environmental benefits of reducing intensive farming practices.
  • The study was conducted as part of the LAMASUS project, a Horizon Europe project aimed at facilitating the achievement of climate neutrality in the EU.

Statistics:

  • Agricultural carbon emissions in the EU could be reduced by nearly a third through strategic de-intensification (approximately 30% reduction).
  • The LAMASUS project brings together 17 partners from eight European countries, including Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Poland, Spain, Norway, and Switzerland.
  • The study highlights the importance of policy areas such as fertilisation policies (organic fertilizers instead of synthetic ones), grassland and grazing policies (focusing on biodiversity and soil health), and landscape conservation measures.

Sources:

  • Krisztin, T., Ringwald, L., Balkovic, J., Cornford, R., Freund, C., Havlik, P., Lauerwald, R., O'Connor, L., Renhart, A., Tan, E., Visconti, P. (2025) Maximizing CAP impact: Advancing Climate, Biodiversity, and Farm Profitability Through Strategic Action.