MEACAP Work Programme

Below are summaries of the areas for investigation in the course of the project and a synopsis of how they will be addressed by the research incorporated in the work packages (WPs). All these areas of research will consider the EU-15, with consideration given to issues of particular relevance to 10 new Member States. See here for a diagram of the relationship between working packages of MEACAP project

• Identify and analyse technical measures appropriate for implementing the Kyoto-Protocol in the agricultural sector and consider uncertainties related to the use of carbon sinks (non-permanence, saturation, leakage).
  WP2 'Kyoto Protocol Implications for EU agriculture' will explore the current state of ratification implementation and produce a preliminary list of reduction options. WP3 'analysis of mitigation and biomass energy measures' will give further analysis of biofuels and of measures to reduce greenhouse gas emission including screening of measures. WP4 'forestry related options for implementing the Kyoto protocol' will review current practice, science and technology and screen measures. These work programmes will include estimates of the effects of these measures on farm incomes, production systems, farming practices and possible environmental effects.
  
  
• Estimate the economic costs of reducing greenhouse gas emissions through the enhancement of carbon sinks and production of biofuels through forestry and agriculture.
  WPs 2, 3, 4 and 6 ('policy measures for greenhouse gas abatement and compliance with CBD') will include estimates of the economic costs of reducing greenhouse emissions through such measures. These work programmes will also include wider socio-economic effects of such measures
  
  
• Make links between climate change mitigation and other issues such as soil fertility/protection, biodiversity and groundwater pollution.
  WPs 3, 4, 5 ('Analysis and measures for delivering CBD commitments in agriculture') 6 and 7 ('European strategy with recommendations, based on final assessments of impacts') will explore the interactions between climate change mitigation and other issues such as soil protection, biodiversity and pollution. The environmental impacts of climate change mitigation mechanisms, especially for biodiversity, will be identified and incorporated in the screening process in WPs 3 and 4; while climate impacts of biodiversity measures will be addressed in WP5. These work programmes will inform the selection of policy measures in WPs 6 and 7.
  
  
• Identify measure, methods and practices for improving the effects of agriculture on th eenvironment, with protection of biodiversity in agriculture as a main target.
  WP5 will explore measures and practices to protect agricultural biodiversity, enrich biodiversity on and around farmland and reduce the negative impacts of farming. WP6 will assess incorporation of biodiversity considerations into greenhouse gas abatement strategies.
  
  
• Make recommendations for the inclusion of certain measures in good agricultural practice and consider possible recommendations for the adaptation/modification of current legislation, with the view to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing the sink potential of agricultural soils.
  WP7 will define a European strategy based on the outcomes of the other work packages.
  
  
• Elaborate a consistent strategy aimed at selecting key actions, which are policy-relevant, consistent with cost-benefit analysis and have significant environmental impact, for reducing the contribution of European agriculture to global warming.
  WP7 will define a European strategy based on the outcomes of the other work packages.