TRANS-SAHARA at the 3rd European Carbon Farming Summit: The advancement of EU–Africa Collaboration on Agroforestry and Carbon Farming
From 17–19 March 2026, the TRANS-SAHARA Project team participated in the 3rd European Carbon Farming Summit in Padua, Italy, one of Europe’s leading events dedicated to advancing credible and farmer-centred carbon farming. Hosted by Climate KIC and co-organised with key European partners such as EIT Food and LILAS4SOILS. The Summit hosted key players in the agroforestry transition scene; EU based-policy makers, scientific researchers, businesses, and farmers to discuss the implementation of the EU’s Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming (CRCF) Regulation.
As Europe transitions from pilot initiatives to large-scale implementation, the Summit focused on some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities in the field, such as financing mechanisms, regulation, standardisation, ensuring real value for farmers, and striking the right balance between monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) companies and the farmers themselves. Against this backdrop, TRANS-SAHARA contributed to key discussions on how agroforestry and integrated land management approaches can support both climate mitigation and adaptation, while strengthening collaboration between Europe and Africa.
Throughout the three-day event, TRANS-SAHARA, together with its sister project AfroGrow, hosted a joint booth in the main exhibition area. It was the first in-person collaboration between ourselves and another member of the Agroscope cluster. The booth served as a practical point of contact for networking with a diverse range of stakeholders, working at the forefront of carbon farming and agroforestry innovation.
The biggest highlight of our attendance at the Summit was our joint session, held on Day 3 titled:
“Opportunities for Cooperation on Agroforestry Carbon Farming Between European Research Projects, and Extension to Projects Operating in Africa.”
The session presented a number of European research initiatives, and we at TRANS-SAHARA were delighted to be one of three African projects invited to contribute. The session demonstrated the increasing need for coordination and knowledge-sharing across projects working on carbon farming and agroforestry.
As regards our own presentation, Dr Daphne Gondhalekar, coordinator of the TRANS-SAHARA Project and Chair of Urban Water Systems Engineering at the Technical University of Munich, presented the project’s innovative approach to agroforestry management in the Greater Northern African Region.
Her presentation introduced the Water–Energy–Food–Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus approach, which lies at the core of TRANS-SAHARA’s work. The WEFE Nexus approach addresses complex climate challenges through cross-sectoral, multi-actor and multi-scale solutions. By linking water security, food production, energy systems, and ecosystem restoration, the Nexus framework aims to deliver integrated and sustainable outcomes.
Dr Gondhalekar highlighted how water security can act as an entry point for ecosystem regeneration, particularly in regions facing severe climate impacts, data gaps, and high vulnerability. The project is currently implementing this approach through eight co-created Living Labs, showing us how Nexus-based solutions can generate value at the community level and be scaled up through initiatives such as the UNCCD Great Green Wall.
A central concept presented during her session was that adaptation equals mitigation, Dr Gondhalekar emphasised that sustainable resource management, particularly groundwater management, can simultaneously support climate resilience and carbon sequestration. As illustrated in her presentation, shifting from linear, extractive systems to circular, regenerative systems can enhance water security, support managed grazing, and increase carbon storage.
In addition to presenting the WEFE Nexus approach, Dr Gondhalekar introduced the concept of Nexus bonds, an innovative financing mechanism designed to support integrated agroforestry and ecosystem restoration projects. Nexus bonds are a beneficial initiative as they link environmental and socio-economic benefits, including, the managed aquifer recharge to support soil carbon storage, methane capture from urban organic waste to produce organic fertiliser, and soil regeneration contributing to increased community income through long-term financing. This approach reflects a broader shift in carbon farming discussions, from focusing solely on carbon credits to recognising the importance of co-benefits such as water management, soil health, biodiversity, and rural livelihoods. By integrating these dimensions, Nexus bonds offer a promising pathway to mobilise investment in sustainable land-use systems.
The session also featured contributions from a wide range of projects and organisations working on carbon farming and agroforestry. Representatives from sister projects AfroGrow and GALILEO shared their experiences in implementing agroforestry solutions across different regions, highlighting the importance of local knowledge, data collection, and cross-regional collaboration.
Additional contributions came from projects including Carbon Farming MED, Carbon Farming CE, MARVIC, MRV4SOC, CAFAMORE, and the Open Geospatial Carbon Registry (OGCR), as well as the Thünen Institute. Together, these perspectives underscored the diversity of approaches currently being developed, as well as the need for greater alignment and harmonisation across methodologies and tools.
Beyond the TRANS-SAHARA session, the Summit hosted a variety of discussions that provided valuable insights into the current state and future direction of carbon farming in Europe. And indeed while most discussions were held in the European context, there were plenty of valuable lessons that TRANS-SAHARA were able to apply to our own practices.
Firstly, a strong and consistent message across sessions was the importance of placing farmers at the centre of carbon farming initiatives. Discussions highlighted that successful implementation depends not only on technical solutions, but also on understanding farmers’ motivations, constraints, and real-world experiences. The farmers shared their real-world experiences and the practical insights into how carbon farming practices are implemented on the ground, as well as the challenges they face in achieving measurable outcomes. These include navigating complex MRV requirements, accessing advisory services, balancing environmental objectives with economic viability, and the knowledge gap between investors and on-ground workers themselves. However, they also provided positives, and made it clear that initiatives such as demonstration farms, peer-to-peer learning, and communities of practice were identified as key enablers for building trust and encouraging long-term engagement.
Secondly, another key theme was the need to address structural barriers to adoption. Discussions emphasised that while interest in carbon farming is growing, farmers often face challenges related to market conditions, access to finance, and the availability of appropriate technologies. The speakers highlighted the importance of creating enabling frameworks that support farmers in transitioning to more sustainable practices. This includes improving access to advisory services, simplifying certification processes, flexible contracts which favour the farmer, and to ensure that carbon farming delivers clear and reliable economic benefits. For example, the development of robust and practical MRV systems remains a central challenge for scaling carbon farming. While numerous methodologies and tools are currently available, there is often a lack of coherence, with different tools producing varying estimates for the same practices. This complexity can create confusion for both farmers and auditors, increasing costs and limiting scalability. There was a clear call for smoothing over this friction, and to highlight the need for harmonised, transparent methodologies that balance scientific rigour with practical applicability.
Thirdly, a recurring theme which cropped up over the course of the Summit was the recognition that carbon farming should not be viewed in isolation. Instead, it should be integrated with broader environmental and socio-economic objectives. For example, the increasing importance of nature credits and other mechanisms that reward biodiversity and ecosystem services, alongside carbon sequestration. Overall reflecting, a shift towards more holistic approaches that consider the full range of benefits provided by agroforestry and sustainable land management. Some of the parallel sessions we attended also emphasised that carbon income should complement, rather than replace, agricultural production. Ensuring that farming systems remain productive and resilient is essential for long-term sustainability.
And finally, it is arguable that TRANS-SAHARA’S biggest priority at the Summit was to gain more information on the practicalities behind the strengthening EU–Africa Collaboration. The Summit reinforced the importance of collaboration between Europe and Africa in addressing shared climate challenges. Our contribution to the summit demonstrated how knowledge exchange, joint research, and coordinated action can support the development of scalable solutions across regions. Through the combination European expertise in research and policy with local knowledge and innovation in African contexts, these collaborations will help to accelerate the adoption of agroforestry and carbon farming practices in Africa that are both effective and specialised to the region.
In looking ahead, it is clear that the 3rd European Carbon Farming Summit highlighted both the progress made and the challenges that remain in scaling carbon farming across Europe and beyond. As the CRCF Regulation moves towards implementation, there is a clear need for continued collaboration, innovation, and alignment across stakeholders. For the TRANS-SAHARA Project, the Summit provided a valuable opportunity to share its work, learn from others, and contribute to shaping the future of carbon farming. By advancing the WEFE Nexus approach and exploring innovative mechanisms such as Nexus bonds, the project aims to support integrated, sustainable solutions that deliver benefits for both people and the planet. As discussions continue, the importance of farmer-centred approaches, robust methodologies, and cross-regional collaboration will remain central to achieving meaningful and lasting impact.
