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The project currently harbours data from more than 400,000 hectares of olive groves
On Tuesday 4 June 2025, the International Olive Council (IOC) successfully launched the pilot phase of its Carbon Balance Project with a dedicated training session. The meeting brought together experts and participants from across the olive sector and marked a crucial step in the validation of a pioneering tool for assessing the carbon balance of olive groves.
The event was opened by IOC Executive Director Jaime Lillo and Deputy Executive Director Abderraouf Laajimi, who welcomed participants and reaffirmed the Organisation’s commitment to promoting sustainability and climate-resilient practices in the olive sector.
Key figures and participation
The pilot phase has already exceeded expectations, with over 600 registrations from 29 countries, covering more than 400,000 hectares of olive groves. This broad and diverse participation is essential to meeting the project’s goals and reflects the strong interest and momentum within the sector regarding voluntary carbon markets.
Expert contributions and regulatory context
The session featured presentations from leading experts in carbon accounting and sustainability:
- Roberto García presented the methodological framework for calculating carbon and CO₂ balances in olive groves, focusing on both accounting approaches and the generation of carbon credits.
- Emilio González addressed the broader topic of sustainability in agriculture, highlighting the importance of sustainable agronomic practices.
- Ricardo Beck offered insights into the new European Union Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming (EU-CRCF) regulation, including its main provisions, current progress and anticipated developments relevant to the olive sector.
Pilot phase and training highlights
Participants were given an overview of the pilot phase’s objectives, structure and timeline. A practical training session followed, demonstrating the use of the new web-based software tool. Attendees received detailed instructions on the data inputs required and the methodology underpinning the tool.
A 45-minute Q&A session allowed participants to raise questions, all of which were documented for follow-up. This interaction will help shape a comprehensive FAQ document to be shared with all pilot users.
Next Steps
Participants will soon receive a personalised link to register and access the tool. A dedicated support channel has been set up via info.cbproject@aenor.com to provide assistance and collect queries, which will inform the FAQ.
The pilot phase aims to validate and refine the tool and its methodology based on user experience. This process will help improve operational functionality and ensure the tool meets the needs and expectations of its future users.
The Carbon Balance Project is a central component of the IOC’s efforts to enhance sustainability, support data-driven decision-making and position the olive sector as a leader in climate-smart agriculture.
