Energy-environmental assessment of the UIA-OpenAgri case study as urban regeneration project through agriculture

Abstract

Sustainable agriculture is strongly promoted by Agenda 2030 and peri-urban agriculture is considered strategic for agri-food sustainability. Although, innovative farming practices are being implemented, the analysis of their impacts often does not reach the required depth. Within the EU project ‘UIA-OpenAgri - New Skills for new Jobs in Peri-urban Agriculture’, a regeneration process of a peri-urban area in Milan (Italy) was started, through the development of an innovative food hub. 28 innovative foodchains are assessed by a Life Cycle Assessment approach based on primary data collected from the involved start-ups. Non-Renewable Cumulative Energy Demand and the Global Warming Potential indicators are assessed and coupled with the productive land indicator. To effectively support involved operators in planning sustainable agriculture practices, the results are presented with GIS maps and insights for improving economic sustainability of involved start-ups are presented. The study shows that the impacts related to the practices implemented (i.e. organic agriculture, including intercropping, agroforestry, ancient grains, etc.) decrease by an average of 55% in energy consumption and 65% on Global Warming Potential if compared to conventional ones. Then, these practices can provide a positive contribution to the Agenda 2030 goal of ensuring sustainable farm production practices.