AGREE · Agriculture and Energy Efficiency

Until now energy efficiency in agriculture has received little attention, except for energy use in greenhouses. Nevertheless, it is considerable, especially when indirect energy use is taken into account. AGREE has the objective of showing the potential of short term energy efficiency gains and the promise of the long term potential. Environmental effects of savings on direct and indirect energy use in agriculture are integrally considered, as energy use efficiency also implies reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Because energy savings in agriculture depend highly on the agri-environment (climate), AGREE will bring together south-eastern, south-western, north-eastern and north-western agroproduction systems. Evidence from energy saving potential and corresponding environmental and economical effects on country level are brought to the transnational level to identify an agenda for transnational collaboration to increase the learning curve on energy use efficiency. AGREE will set up a participatory process for two reasons. 1. Stakeholders will be involved in the set-up of the agenda which will facilitate the implementation of the results. 2. AGREE needs the opinions and views of stakeholders to produce an agenda that reflects the needs of and opportunities by practice. To ensure implementation, a link has been created with a European network of researchers committed to adopt the issue. This network (ENGAGE) is closely associated with the European Society of Agricultural Engineers (EuAgEng). This link will facilitate the adoption process. To ensure that the results will create relevant and effective R&D programmes, AGREE has established a close link with the Collaborative Working Group on Agriculture and Energy. This group is embedded in SCAR and the KBBE-Net and is thus positioned to translate the AGREE agenda, into commitment for effective R&D on energy efficiency. To this end, it is important that AGREE provides evidence of the added value of such research.""