Agroecological farming practices for climate change mitigation in Mediterranean agricultural systems: the case of the Sardinia region

Agriculture is a key driver of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and is simultaneously vulnerable to climate change. Agroecological farming practices, in addition to regenerating farming systems, offer promising solutions in this regard, helping agroecosystems both adapt to climate change and mitigate emissions. Here, we investigated the extent to which agroecological transition pathways in Mediterranean landscapes can reduce and offset agricultural emissions and support direct methane mitigation measures. To this end, a territorial cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA) was used to assess changes in GHG emissions from the agricultural sector under alternative scenarios in the region of Sardinia (Italy). The results show that a transformational transition in agroecosystems and landscapes toward agroecological, biodiversity-based farming practices and land use could offset nearly 37% of agricultural emissions, strongly supporting animal-based mitigation measures. This transition includes, among other measures, expanding organic farming and transitioning to permanent grasslands and agroforestry systems. Overall, a systemic shift toward agroecological and sustainable land management can meaningfully mitigate emissions while delivering broader environmental benefits. The findings can support informed decision-making to meet climate targets.