Agricultural Carbon Footprint, Environmental Pressures, and Mitigation Policies within the Framework of the Paris Climate Agreement: A Comparative Analysis of Turkey and the European Union

Abstract

The agricultural sector, while a vital component of economic production and food security, is also one of the major contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions. Following the ratification of the Paris Climate Agreement, the environmental impacts of agriculture especially its carbon footprint have become critical points of analysis and policymaking. This review compares the carbon emissions, environmental pressures, and mitigation policies in agriculture between the European Union (EU) and Turkey.

The concept of a carbon footprint encompasses emissions of methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and carbon dioxide (CO₂) from agricultural activities such as livestock, fertilizer use, land cultivation, and irrigation. EU member states have taken significant steps toward reducing these emissions in alignment with the Paris Agreement, notably through the Green Deal, reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and carbon taxation. In contrast, Turkey, although it ratified the Paris Agreement in 2021, lacks an integrated national strategy for reducing agricultural emissions. Nevertheless, some promising pilot projects and organic agriculture promotion initiatives exist across regions.

This paper synthesizes findings from over 75 academic studies and official policy reports. The results demonstrate that the EU possesses a more mature framework in terms of monitoring, reporting, and carbon market instruments. For Turkey to meet its climate targets and align with EU standards, substantial investments in regulatory adaptation, climate financing mechanisms, and digital agricultural infrastructure are needed.

Ultimately, the study concludes that addressing the environmental impact of agriculture requires both regional collaboration and institutional capacity building. Enhanced cooperation between the EU and Turkey in climate-smart agriculture and emission reduction strategies would yield significant benefits for both environmental sustainability and economic competitiveness in the region.