Launch of the European COVERE² project: collecting, verifying and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the agri-food sector

The Viikki research barn will be the pilot site for Eleks' energy flow tracking project. From left to right: Tapani Jokiniemi (farm manager), Lyubomyr Matsekh (Eleks), Javier Arevalo (University of Helsinki) and Volodymyr Skladanivskyy (Eleks). © COVERE²

The European COVERE² project is an innovative initiative to revolutionise greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions management in the agri-food production sector. COVERE², which stands for ‘Collecting, verifying, reporting and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions’, aims to develop a solution enabling agri-food producers to promote sustainability through detailed monitoring of their greenhouse gas emissions. During the pilot phase, the focus will be on milk and the dairy industry.

Over the past 150 years, a rise of more than 1°C in global temperatures has been attributed to increased concentrations of greenhouse gases, with profound consequences for the planet and its inhabitants. While agriculture accounts for 10% of the EU's greenhouse gas emissions, it offers considerable potential for reducing emissions through sustainable methods. Tackling agricultural emissions, particularly the significant 70% contribution from the animal sector, is essential to combating climate change and promoting a sustainable future.

COVERE²: An integrated response to reduce GHG emissions in European agriculture

Amid growing regulatory pressures and consumer demands for sustainability, agricultural businesses face significant challenges in achieving net-zero emissions targets. The COVERE² project aims to provide an all-in-one digital solution for managing and reducing GHG emissions in the agri-food industry.

Demand for the solution is driven by new regulations, such as the EU's CSRD directive, which aims to harmonise corporate sustainability reporting and improve the quality of ESG (environmental, social and governance) data, as well as by the growing desire among stakeholders and end users to opt for more sustainable products. The solution will enable agri-food producers to obtain accurate greenhouse gas emissions data in order to make informed decisions independently and implement impactful changes towards sustainability.

‘At Vitagora, we are committed to catalysing positive change and innovation in the agri-food sector. The COVERE² project embodies our mission to support the sustainability and performance of agri-food companies in a more environmentally friendly future.’ Maria Isabel CISNEROS, Innovation Engineer at Vitagora, in charge of the COVERE² project.

A scientific and participatory approach to the COVERE² project

In collaboration with partners from Europe — ELEKS (Estonia), the University of Helsinki (Finland), Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (Malta) and Vitagora (France) — COVERE² is funded by EIT Food (European Institute of Innovation and Technology), an initiative of the European Union. This two-year project, divided into four phases, will address the urgent need for comprehensive solutions for managing GHG emissions in the agricultural industry.

COVERE² is built on science-based principles and methodologies. The academic partners involved in the project are responsible for conducting research activities, and the validation of the approach will be supported by scientific publications.

Marie-Lou Manca (ELEKS) and Maria Isabel Cisneros (Vitagora) 

In addition, the project includes activities involving industrial stakeholders, with the aim of achieving the best possible solution with the most relevant features. By establishing an advisory committee, COVERE² is built on the basis of continuous feedback and input from experts in the agri-food industry.

Vitagora will contribute its expertise in stakeholder engagement and communication with the agri-food industry, particularly during the market launch of the COVERE² digital solution.

For the pilot phase to be completed in early 2025, COVERE² will focus on the dairy industry, offering tailor-made solutions to customers to reduce carbon emissions and move closer to achieving net zero emissions targets. The solutions are easily scalable to all sectors of agri-food production and other industries, such as energy or finished product manufacturing.

Further information

For more information about COVERE², visit the project website: the COVERE² project page.

Press contact

Marthe Jewell, marthe.jewell@vitagora.com, 06 60 65 87 16