Green Economy and CO2.2
Launch of the GECO 2.2 project at CIHEAM Bari
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The GECO 2.2 (Green Economy and CO2.2) project was officially launched with a kick-off meeting held at CIHEAM Bari on 25 and 26 June. Funded by the INTERREG Italy-Croatia programme, it aims to promote a shared greener and more resilient environment through the adoption of sustainable and innovative agricultural practices.
GECO 2.2 builds on the results of the previous GECO2 project, which established the first experimental voluntary market for agricultural carbon credits.The successful results and the challenges faced have led the partners to develop GECO 2.2 to consolidate and extend the work done, in light of the growing environmental emergencies and the new legislation in Europe.
The project seeks to raise awareness of climate change impact, explore new mitigation and adaptation ways in economic contexts, introduce sustainable agricultural practices, e.g. soil regeneration and increased grass diversity, develop a carbon market in agriculture, reduce environmental risks and capture carbon in the soil/plant system to improve long-term well-being.
"GECO 2.2 builds on the results of the previous GECO 2 project, where we pioneered the launch of a voluntary CO2 credit market. This market can be a major tool for remunerating farmers who adopt sustainable agricultural practices, thereby moving towards carbon neutrality"- explains Emiliano Galanti, Project Manager. "We hope to bring the experience of Legacoop Romagna to the project involving the different stakeholders in the area and encouraging the participation of agricultural, industrial, service and consumer businesses to develop and test the project's tools by improving carbon credits’ traceability, transparency and certifiability".
Geco 2.2 partners include Legacoop Romagna - Emilia-Romagna Region’s associated partner, CIHEAM Bari - Puglia Region’s associated partner, Coldiretti Molise, Legacoop Marche and, from Croatia, Zadar County Rural Development Agency - Ministry of Agriculture’s associated partner, Dubrovnik Neretva Region, OGAM - Olive Growers Association Mastrinka.