Twentieth International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic & Social Sustainability

Abstract

Agri-food systems are facing the challenge of climate change, with increasing phenomena such as drought, loss of biodiversity and desertification. Some public policies, such as Common Agricultural Policy in the European Union, are leading to develop an agricultural activity increasingly focuses on the search for environmentally friendly practices in order to mitigate the effects of climate change. Agroecology, defined as an integrated approach to ecological concepts and principles, is key to transforming European Union agri-food systems into more resilient, sustainable and inclusive systems. In this context, this study aims to add on information on agroecological performance. The analysis focuses on olive grove farms in Southern Spain, as it is the country’s leading olive-growing region which is one of its main economic drivers. In order to do so, the four-step Tool for Agroecology Performance Evaluation (TAPE) designed by FAO is applied. In this technique, Step 0 is based on a brief description of the socio-economic characteristics of the environment; Step 1 involves the Characterization of the Agroecological Transition (CAET); Step 2 is the Core Criteria of Performance which addressing 5 key dimensions for policy makers and the sustainable development goals (SDGs); and finally the Step 3 is based on a participatory validation of the results with producers and relevant stakeholders. To implement the TAPE technique, first, secondary information was collected and, later, 3 in-depth interviews, each lasting 2.5 hours, were conducted and, then, the results were compared and key factors that make the agroecological transition easier were identified.