4s1: A partnership for achieving carbon neutral and resilient Mediterranean agro-food systems through circular management of organic resources

Abstract

The Mediterranean region is home to 480 million inhabitants. It is characterized by dry climatic conditions marked by a chronic water shortage affecting photosynthetic biomass production. The situation is expected to worsen as the region is under massive pressure from human activities and climate change-related water and thermal stresses. Also, an estimated 8.3 million ha of agricultural land is vulnerable to loss due to urbanization and land degradation. The situation is acute, mainly in the southern Mediterranean. Conversely, the exploitation of harvested crop biomass to meet the demands of the burgeoning urban population creates a massive drain on organic carbon sinks on agricultural lands. The projected increase in urban populations is expected to enhance urban food demand leading to further increases in soil nutrients and carbon exports from farmlands to urban areas.