Turning farming into climate action: carbon markets at the centre of the Zadar international conference
05/05/2026
How can farming become part of the solution to climate change?
This was the key question at the international conference held on 21 April at the University of Zadar, where institutions, researchers and agricultural stakeholders came together to explore the future of carbon markets in agriculture.
Organised within the framework of GECO 2.2, the event marked an important milestone in the transition from pilot experiences to a structured and credible carbon trading system for the agricultural sector.
At the heart of the discussion was a simple but transformative idea: enabling farmers to generate carbon credits by storing CO₂ in their soils, turning sustainable practices into concrete economic opportunities.
The conference highlighted the strong and growing interest in carbon farming, bringing together representatives from European institutions, ministries, research centres, certification bodies and private companies. A clear message emerged: building a functioning carbon market requires trust, clear rules and reliable verification systems.
Real data from pilot activities confirmed the potential of this approach.
More than 160 farms, covering over 1,400 hectares, tested agro-environmental practices capable of storing significant amounts of carbon—demonstrating that agriculture can play a dual role: both reducing emissions and actively contributing to climate mitigation.
At the same time, discussions addressed the challenges ahead.
From fragmented land structures to administrative barriers, stakeholders stressed the need to make carbon markets accessible, transparent and practical for farmers.
Soil health also emerged as a central theme—not only as a climate solution, but as the foundation of long-term agricultural productivity and resilience.
Looking ahead, GECO 2.2 aims to bridge the gap between science, policy and everyday farming by developing a certified, transparent and scalable carbon market model, fully aligned with evolving European frameworks .
The message from Zadar is clear: carbon farming is no longer a concept — it is becoming a concrete opportunity for agriculture, the environment and the economy.