About TRACER

TRACER is a Horizon Europe research and innovation project that began in September 2026 and aims to transform the way agricultural greenhouse gas emissions are monitored, reported and verified across Europe.

The project will develop and validate a harmonised, near real-time Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) System for agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. By integrating Earth Observation, field measurements, farm data and advanced modelling, the TRACER MRV System will deliver reliable, transparent and scientifically robust data and insights on carbon and non-CO₂ greenhouse gas emissions across diverse European farming systems.

Through a combination of experimental pilot regions, Living Lab demonstrations and collaboration between research organisations, industry, public authorities and farmers, TRACER will deliver practical tools and scientific evidence to support climate-smart agriculture, carbon certification, evidence-based policymaking and the transition towards more sustainable farming across Europe.

TRACER at a Glance

Expect hands-on fun, supportive staff, and a mix of structured activities and open play.

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48-month Horizon Europe project & 16 partners from 6 European countries and China

Develop and validate a harmonised, near real-time MRV System for agricultural greenhouse gas emissions

Integrate Earth Observation, field measurements, farm data and advanced modelling

Test and calibrate the TRACER MRV System across 10 pilot regions

Demonstrate the TRACER MRV System in 5 existing Living Labs

Build capacity through stakeholder engagement, training and knowledge exchange

Support long-term uptake through business models and evidence-based policy recommendations

Objectives

Main Objective: To develop and validate a harmonised, near real-time farm-level MRV system that integrates models, sensors, and EO to monitor non-CO₂ agricultural emissions and CO₂ for full GHG balance, delivering traceable reporting, actionable decision support, and policy-aligned accounting to support CAP eco-schemes, CRCF certification, and national inventories across diverse EU farming systems.

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Specific Objectives

[RESEARCH] Advance methodologies for monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) of agricultural non-CO₂ emissions (CH₄, N₂O) and CO₂ by integrating field experiments, multi-source sensing, and advanced Tier 2/3 modelling, reducing uncertainties and aligning with EU and international standards.

[DEVELOP] Develop a harmonised MRV matrix with indicators and a farmer-friendly system that integrates in-situ sensors, Earth Observation, and digital tools at the land parcel level, supported by near real-time infrastructure and a mobile application delivering actionable feedback and certification-ready reporting.

[VALIDATE AND TEST] Calibrate, validate, and test the TRACER MRV system in nine experimental pilots and five LLs across Europe’s main pedo-climatic zones, ensuring accuracy, usability, cost-effectiveness, and scalability, while generating robust datasets to support mitigation strategies.

[SUPPORT & SCALE] Strengthen farmer, advisor, and policymaker capacities to adopt and trust MRV solutions through co-design, training, and peer learning. Deliver impact assessments, business models, and upscaling strategies, alongside policy recommendations, to ensure long-term adoption and integration into EU agricultural and climate frameworks.

Key Project Outputs

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Harmonised MRV Framework:

Establish a common European framework for monitoring, reporting and verification of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions.

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TRACER MRV System:

Deliver a harmonised, near real-time MRV System validated across diverse European farming systems and pedo-climatic zones.

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TRACER App:

Provide real-time greenhouse gas emission feedback, forecasts and mitigation recommendations for farmers and advisors.

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Advanced Modelling Suite:

Integrate Earth Observation, sensors and farm data through advanced Tier-3 modelling to improve the accuracy and reliability of GHG estimates.

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Open Datasets & Benchmarks:

Create harmonised farm-level datasets and validation benchmarks to support transparent MRV development and scientific research.

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Mitigation Strategies:

Develop and validate strategies to reduce agricultural GHG emissions through improved nutrient, manure, livestock and land management.

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Policy Recommendations:

Deliver policy briefs and practical guidance supporting CAP eco-schemes, CRCF certification and national greenhouse gas inventories.

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Impact Assessment:

Assess the environmental, economic and social performance of the TRACER MRV System and associated mitigation strategies.

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Capacity Building:

Deliver workshops, training materials and guidance to support the adoption of MRV systems and sustainable farming practices.

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Upscaling & Business Models:

Develop business models and upscaling strategies to support the long-term deployment of harmonised MRV systems across Europe.