APPLICATION OF CARBON CREDITS IN THE ITALIAN AND PAKISTANI AGRI-FOOD SECTOR

The Italian agri-food sector, famous for its diverse and high-quality production in Europe, is increasingly under pressure to address its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly from methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O), which contribute significantly to climate change. Pakistan’s agri-food sector plays a considerable role in the economy, supporting livelihoods and food security. Key activities, such as rice cultivation and cattle farming, are the primary sources of these emissions. CH₄ is emitted from rice paddies due to anaerobic conditions created by flooded fields, while cattle farming generates CH₄ through digestion and manure decomposition. Reliable data on GHG emissions from this sector in Pakistan is scarce and inconsistent, making it difficult to design effective policies. Therefore, it is essential to identify and implement sustainable strategies to reduce these emissions and highlight how they can be integrated into carbon credit systems to achieve both economic and environmental benefits. In rice farming, practices such as alternate wetting and drying (AWD), and midseason drainage are shown to effectively lower CH₄ emissions by altering soil conditions and breaking the anaerobic cycle. Additionally, organic farming methods, such as the use of compost and biofertilizers, reduce dependency on synthetic fertilizers, thereby minimizing nitrous oxide emissions and improving soil health. Precision agriculture tools optimize fertilizer application, enhancing efficiency and further reducing emissions. These strategies present an opportunity for the Italian agri-food sector to leverage carbon credit systems like the Gold Standard (GS) and the American Carbon Registry (ACR). By documenting and verifying reductions in emissions through improved water and nutrient management, farmers can generate carbon credits. These credits can be traded in voluntary carbon markets or used to offset emissions in other industries, fostering a circular economy and supporting Italy’s climate objectives. This research emphasizes the dual advantages of adopting sustainable agricultural practices, significantly lowering GHG emissions while benefiting from carbon credit opportunities. Through innovative resource management methods, the Italian agri-food sector can reduce its carbon footprint, enhance economic sustainability, and contribute to global climate mitigation efforts. These measures not only position Italy as a leader in sustainable agriculture but also provide a replicable framework for other nations aiming to balance environmental responsibility with agricultural productivity. Additionally, this thesis also dwells on sustainable high-altitude expeditions and discusses the recent Italian team K2 expedition in 2024, where the use of solar panels and recycled materials marked a shift toward sustainable practices in extreme environments. This expedition can serve as a model for how clean energy technologies can significantly reduce environmental footprints in high-impact activities, illustrating the potential for sustainable practices across diverse sectors. Additionally, it highlights the application of sustainable technologies, such as leveraging satellite data from platforms like Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2, to monitor glacier dynamics. This includes tracking glacier retreats, analyzing melt patterns, and assessing changes in ice mass in regions impacted by GHG emissions, such as Pakistan. Advanced remote sensing techniques offer a more efficient, cost-effective, and resource-light alternative to conventional methods, minimizing the need for carbon-intensive fieldwork and fossil fuel-powered equipment. These technologies also enable continuous, real-time monitoring, enhancing climate models' accuracy and supporting more effective GHG mitigation policies. By using these advanced techniques, we gain critical insights into the impacts of climate change on glaciers, water resources, and ecosystems while minimizing the carbon footprint associated with traditional data collection methods. By bridging the fields of agricultural science and cryosphere studies, this thesis presents a comprehensive approach to GHG mitigation, underscoring the importance of technological innovation and environmental sustainability. The first part of the research involves a thorough review of life cycle assessments (LCA) in rice production and mitigating the potential of anaerobic digestion plants (ADP) in beef cattle farming. It evaluates various GHG mitigation strategies, highlighting the effectiveness of ADP technology for biogas production as a means to reduce CH4 emissions fagri-foodock manure and enhance energy efficiency on farms. The second part of this thesis explores how climate change affects glaciers and the hydrological cycle and focuses on sustainable practices in high-altitude expeditions to lower carbon emissions. By quantifying the environmental impacts of both agri-food production and high-altitude expeditions, this study provides a foundation for sustainable practices that can help lower GHG emissions and lead to carbon credit generation. The findings advocate for policy frameworks that encourage the adoption of carbon credit mechanisms within the agri-food sector while simultaneously addressing the urgent need for glacier monitoring and conservation efforts in the face of climate change.