The positive contribution of agricultural crops to reducing greenhouse gas emissions is one of the most valuable ecosystem services of the primary sector, yet it remains understudied and underutilized.

Carbon-focused living labs aim to develop and promote innovations to reduce emissions and enhance carbon sequestration, including through the accumulation of organic matter in agricultural soils. Specifically, these living labs address the following topics:

• Reducing the use of mineral fertilizers by utilizing and enhancing compost and manure;
• Returning crop residues to the soil;
• Using and managing cover crops to improve soil fertility and prevent erosion;
• Implementing conservation and regenerative soil management techniques;
• Managing and optimizing the forage system in livestock farms to increase the amount of energy and protein produced on-site;
• Best practices for planning and managing timber harvesting in forests.