The intersection of agroecological practices and climate change mitigation has become increasingly critical as global food systems contribute 13-21% of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions whilst simultaneously facing threats from climate disruption (Wezel et al., 2025). A groundbreaking systematic review examining over 16,000 publications has revealed that implementing multiple agroecological practices together generally produces more favourable climate mitigation outcomes than conventional agricultural approaches.
The study by Wezel et al. (2025), published in Agronomy for Sustainable Development, addresses a crucial knowledge gap regarding the combined effects of multiple agroecological practices on greenhouse gas emissions and carbon sequestration. Whilst extensive research exists on individual practices, this comprehensive analysis provides vital insights into how practice combinations perform in real-world agricultural systems.
Methodology and analytical framework
The research team employed a rigorous rapid review methodology based on the PRISMA-RR protocol, systematically screening publications from 2000 to 2023. The innovative approach incorporated machine learning algorithms to process the vast dataset, with a DeBERTa-v3 model achieving 81% accuracy in article classification (Wezel et al., 2025). This technological enhancement enabled the researchers to efficiently identify relevant studies from an initial pool of 16,006 articles.
The analytical framework categorised agroecological practices into comprehensive management groups including crop fertilisation, water management, pest control, tillage systems, and landscape elements. Studies were included only if they compared systems implementing two or more agroecological practices against conventional counterparts under similar pedoclimatic conditions. This stringent criterion ensured meaningful comparisons while acknowledging the inherent complexity of agroecological transitions.
The researchers evaluated 499 distinct mitigation metrics across 138 peer-reviewed publications, with 72% subjected to statistical testing. Outcomes were classified as positive (favouring agroecological approaches), negative (favouring conventional systems), or inconclusive, providing a nuanced assessment of climate mitigation potential.
Major findings and outcomes
Greenhouse gas emissions
The analysis revealed predominantly positive outcomes for greenhouse gas mitigation when multiple agroecological practices were implemented together. Carbon dioxide emissions showed the highest proportion of positive outcomes at 69%, followed closely by nitrous oxide at 67% (Wezel et al., 2025). These findings suggest that practice combinations effectively reduce atmospheric emissions compared to conventional systems.
However, methane emissions presented a more complex picture, with negative outcomes frequently exceeding positive ones, particularly in rice production systems. This pattern highlights the context-dependent nature of emission dynamics and the importance of crop-specific management strategies. The decomposition of organic matter in flooded rice fields emerged as a primary driver of increased methane emissions, corroborating previous findings that organic amendments can significantly elevate CH4 release in anaerobic conditions (Linquist et al., 2012).
Carbon sequestration dynamics
Carbon sequestration metrics demonstrated remarkably consistent positive outcomes, with 70% of statistically tested cases showing significant improvements under agroecological management. A clear trend emerged linking increased practice complexity with enhanced carbon storage potential, though this relationship did not extend to greenhouse gas emissions (Wezel et al., 2025).
The predominance of positive sequestration outcomes was particularly pronounced in agroforestry and diversified farming systems, where multiple practices synergistically enhanced soil organic carbon accumulation. Conservation agriculture approaches combining reduced tillage, cover crops, and residue retention consistently improved carbon stocks, aligning with meta-analyses demonstrating the cumulative benefits of integrated soil management strategies (Poeplau & Don, 2015).
System-specific variations
Arable cropping systems, representing 62% of the analysed studies, exhibited substantial variability in outcomes. While carbon sequestration generally improved, considerable negative outcomes emerged for CO2 and CH4 emissions, particularly in rice cultivation. The researchers identified organic amendment application rates and management timing as critical factors influencing these trade-offs.
Perennial systems, including orchards and agroforestry, demonstrated more uniformly positive outcomes across all metrics. These systems’ capacity for sustained carbon storage whilst maintaining lower emission profiles suggests their particular value in climate-smart agricultural strategies. The integration of landscape elements such as hedgerows and buffer strips, though less frequently studied, showed promising mitigation potential warranting further investigation.
Critical trade-offs and contextual factors
The review illuminates fundamental trade-offs inherent in agroecological transitions. While organic fertilisation enhances soil health and carbon sequestration, it can simultaneously increase N2O and CH4 emissions, particularly with leguminous cover crops or in waterlogged conditions (Wezel et al., 2025). These contradictions underscore the necessity for site-specific management optimisation rather than universal prescriptions.
Pedoclimatic conditions emerged as primary determinants of mitigation outcomes, with soil temperature, moisture regimes, and existing organic matter levels significantly modulating practice effectiveness. The researchers noted that conventional studies’ factorial designs often inadequately captured the complex interactions characterising diversified agroecological systems, potentially underestimating synergistic benefits.
The temporal dynamics of mitigation effects present additional complexity. Carbon sequestration benefits typically manifest over extended periods, whilst greenhouse gas emissions respond more immediately to management changes. This temporal mismatch complicates comprehensive assessments and may influence farmers’ adoption decisions when short-term productivity concerns compete with long-term sustainability goals.
Implications for agricultural transitions
The findings carry profound implications for agroecological policy and practice implementation. The general trend favouring multiple practice combinations supports arguments for systemic rather than piecemeal agricultural reforms. However, the occurrence of negative outcomes in specific contexts demands nuanced, adaptive management approaches responsive to local conditions.
The dominance of conservation agriculture studies (52% of analysed cases) reflects both research priorities and practical adoption patterns. Whilst these relatively simple practice combinations demonstrate clear benefits, the limited representation of more complex agroecological systems suggests unrealised mitigation potential. Future research should prioritise understudied configurations, particularly integrated crop-livestock systems and landscape-scale interventions (Wezel et al., 2025).
The review’s methodology offers valuable insights for future evidence synthesis. The successful application of machine learning to literature screening demonstrates the potential for technological innovation in systematic reviews, particularly as publication volumes continue to expand exponentially. However, the exclusion of modelling studies and grey literature may have overlooked relevant evidence, particularly regarding emerging practices and farmer innovations.
Conclusions and future directions
This comprehensive analysis provides crucial evidence that multiple agroecological practices generally enhance climate change mitigation compared to conventional agriculture, though context-specific trade-offs persist. The predominance of positive outcomes for carbon sequestration, coupled with more variable greenhouse gas emission responses, necessitates holistic assessment frameworks acknowledging multiple environmental objectives.
Future research priorities should include long-term studies capturing temporal dynamics, investigations of practice interactions at landscape scales, and assessments integrating mitigation with adaptation co-benefits. The development of decision-support tools helping farmers navigate trade-offs whilst optimising for local conditions represents a critical need.
The transition towards climate-compatible agriculture requires acknowledging that agroecological approaches offer substantial mitigation potential whilst recognising their implementation complexities. As Wezel et al. (2025) conclude, successful transformation depends on understanding these nuanced relationships and developing locally appropriate strategies that balance immediate agricultural needs with long-term climate objectives.
Dario Dongo
Photo courtesy Guido Baldrati Folli (2025)
References
- Linquist, B. A., Adviento-Borbe, M. A., Pittelkow, C. M., van Kessel, C., & van Groenigen, K. J. (2012). Fertilizer management practices and greenhouse gas emissions from rice systems: A quantitative review and analysis. Field Crops Research, 135, 10-21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2012.06.007
- Poeplau, C., & Don, A. (2015). Carbon sequestration in agricultural soils via cultivation of cover crops – A meta-analysis. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 200, 33-41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2014.10.024
- Wezel, A., Marchetti, A., Nichenametla, C. K., Boughamoura, O., Kamilia, K., & Bàrberi, P. (2025). Multiple agroecological practices use and climate change mitigation: A review. Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 45, Article 58. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13593-025-01048-9
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
