The Olive Grove and Carbon Balance
The Carbon Balance Project is a flagship initiative of the IOC designed to demonstrate and quantify the role of olive groves as natural carbon sinks.
Scientific evidence shows that olive trees and soils can absorb and store atmospheric CO₂ over long periods, particularly when sustainable farming practices are applied.
Recognising this capacity, the IOC launched a pilot project in 2025 to develop a sector-specific methodology for calculating the net carbon balance of olive groves — with the aim of unlocking access to voluntary carbon markets. The methodology is being designed in alignment with the latest scientific and regulatory frameworks, including the IPCC 2019 guidelines and standards used in international climate finance mechanisms. It is intended to be globally applicable and compatible with schemes in the European Union, North Africa, Latin America and beyond.
By equipping producers with robust, science-based tools, the IOC aims to promote sustainable practices and contribute to climate change mitigation, while exploring new economic opportunities for the olive sector.
Carbon Balance Calculation Tool
The Carbon Balance Calculation Tool is a free digital platform developed by the IOC to help producers and technicians quantify the carbon balance of olive groves.
Currently in its pilot phase, the tool allows users to input basic data about their groves — such as location, surface area, varieties and agronomic practices — in order to estimate carbon sequestration and emissions. This information is processed using a standardised methodology developed specifically for the olive sector.
Participation is open to farmers, cooperatives, associations and academic institutions. Data collected during the pilot will be used to validate and refine the tool ahead of its public release.
Once finalised, the tool will offer a user-friendly, scientifically robust solution for assessing carbon performance, facilitating access to voluntary carbon markets and sustainability certification.
Training and Resources
To support implementation of the Carbon Balance Project, the IOC is organising a series of training sessions and technical resources for stakeholders involved in the pilot phase.
Two online workshops were held in July 2025 to present the methodology and walk users through the carbon balance calculation tool. These sessions — conducted in English and Spanish — covered:
- Data inputs required by the tool
- The scientific basis of the calculations
- The use of the user manual and accompanying materials
- A Q&A segment to address participant queries
Additional resources, including the user guide and methodological documentation, will be made available on this page as the project evolves.
For any questions, please contact iooc@internationaloliveoil.org or info.cbproject@aenor.com.
