Work to evaluate ÖPUL measures with regard to their climate impact

Farming methods in arable farming influence the storage of organic carbon in soil, humus formation and nitrous oxide emissions. They can make an important contribution to climate protection. In cooperation with the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Security (AGES), the Federal Environment Agency checks selected ÖPUL measures for their climate protection impact and derives management factors for estimating changes in soil carbon stocks. The results of the humus and nitrogen balance at regional or national level show that the ÖPUL measures provide a significant contribution to climate protection by organic farming practices, greening of arable land and the absence of yield-enhancing inputs. In addition to greening, the use of organic fertilisers has a significant influence on the growth of humus.