Nutri2Cycle

Transition towards a more carbon and nutrient efficient agriculture in Europe

Project duration: October 2018 – September 2022

European agriculture is still characterized by a high overall contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and inefficient recovery of carbon and re-use of major plant nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus). The Nutri2Cycle project will assess the current Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Carbon (C) flows looking into existing management techniques in different farms across Europe and analysing their related environmental problems. NUTRI2CYCLE will use an integrated approach to enable the transition from the current (suboptimal) nutrient household in European agriculture to the next-generation of agronomic practices, characterized by an improved upcycling of nutrients and organic carbon. Tackling the existing nutrient flow gaps in Europe will help decrease greenhouse gas emissions, reduce soil degradation and improve EU independence in terms of energy and nutrients.

Nutri2Cycle will interact with all actors influencing nutrient cycles to:

  • Create more efficient and sustainable farm business models for nutrient recovery and recycling;
  • Spread the results at regional, national and European level throughout a comprehensive network of regional operational groups, National Task Forces and European Stakeholders;
  • Assess how the products obtained through the identified business models can aim for labelling and reach end-users;
  • Provide scientific support on effective regulatory frameworks to reduce emissions and increase self-reliance of Europe for food, energy and nutrients in the next century.

19 organisations from 12 EU countries are working together to provide an essential contribution to the development of a circular economy by closing nutrient loops.

This collaboration originates from the EIP-Focus Group on Nutrient Recycling, closely interacting with the EIP Operational Groups in the individual EU member states. Better nutrient stewardship engaging all actors across the value chain as envisaged in NUTRI2CYCLE will increase the C, N and P recycling rate significantly and will improve the overall sustainability and innovation capacity of European agricultural systems.

This project receives funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation under Grant Agreement no. 773682

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