Title: Market-Based Approaches to Agricultural Emissions and Climate Action in the Agri-Food Sector
Date: May 28, 2025
Lead Working Group: North Macedonia
Moderator: Ms Jovana Milosavljeva, AgFutura Technologies (AGFT), North Macedonia
Working Group speakers:
- Dr Thanos Arampatzis food, Greece (CARBONICA’s Communication Manager)
- Mr Blagoja Mukanov, CEO/Executive Director, AGFT, North Macedonia
Invited Diaspora expert speaker:
- Dr Jordan Hristov, Agricultural Economist and Researcher, European Commission JRC, Spain (Academia)
MAP representatives invited speakers:
- Ms Pavlina Zdraveva, Climate Change Policy Advisor, North Macedonia (Policy)
- Ms Anastasia Panteli, Operations Manager and Agriculturist, Atsas Organic Farm, Cyprus (Industry)
- Mr Antonis Politis, Communication Officer, Agricultural Cooperative Union of Zagora-Pilio, Zagorin Hellas, Greece GR (Agriculture/Civil Society)
Key outcomes:
Barriers to market-based mechanisms
Significant obstacles remain in implementing tools like ETS in fragmented agri-food systems. Gaps in digital monitoring, limited data, and weak support services—especially for smallholders—undermine readiness.
Carbon farming as a feasible starting point
Experts agreed carbon farming is a practical, near-term solution for countries like North Macedonia. It delivers environmental and economic benefits (e.g. soil health, productivity) while laying the foundation for future carbon market integration. Strategic investments, advisory support, and policy alignment are critical.
Policy alignment and capacity building needed
To meet the 2030 target of a 50% GHG reduction, robust climate-smart agriculture policies, tailored financial tools, and institutional capacity building in agriculture expertise are urgently required.
Private sector value highlights
Examples from Atsas Organic Farm (Cyprus) and Zagorin Apple Cooperative (Greece) illustrated successful carbon farming practices— including no-till, renewable energy use, and carbon footprint assessments. Their cases demonstrate growing market demand for low-carbon products and the importance of branding sustainability.
Title: Market-Based Approaches to Agricultural Emissions and Climate Action in the Agri-Food Sector
Date: May 28, 2025
Lead Working Group: North Macedonia
Moderator: Ms Jovana Milosavljeva, AgFutura Technologies (AGFT), North Macedonia
Working Group speakers:
- Dr Thanos Arampatzis food, Greece (CARBONICA’s Communication Manager)
- Mr Blagoja Mukanov, CEO/Executive Director, AGFT, North Macedonia
Invited Diaspora expert speaker:
- Dr Jordan Hristov, Agricultural Economist and Researcher, European Commission JRC, Spain (Academia)
MAP representatives invited speakers:
- Ms Pavlina Zdraveva, Climate Change Policy Advisor, North Macedonia (Policy)
- Ms Anastasia Panteli, Operations Manager and Agriculturist, Atsas Organic Farm, Cyprus (Industry)
- Mr Antonis Politis, Communication Officer, Agricultural Cooperative Union of Zagora-Pilio, Zagorin Hellas, Greece GR (Agriculture/Civil Society)
Key outcomes:
Barriers to market-based mechanisms
Significant obstacles remain in implementing tools like ETS in fragmented agri-food systems. Gaps in digital monitoring, limited data, and weak support services—especially for smallholders—undermine readiness.
Carbon farming as a feasible starting point
Experts agreed carbon farming is a practical, near-term solution for countries like North Macedonia. It delivers environmental and economic benefits (e.g. soil health, productivity) while laying the foundation for future carbon market integration. Strategic investments, advisory support, and policy alignment are critical.
Policy alignment and capacity building needed
To meet the 2030 target of a 50% GHG reduction, robust climate-smart agriculture policies, tailored financial tools, and institutional capacity building in agriculture expertise are urgently required.
Private sector value highlights
Examples from Atsas Organic Farm (Cyprus) and Zagorin Apple Cooperative (Greece) illustrated successful carbon farming practices— including no-till, renewable energy use, and carbon footprint assessments. Their cases demonstrate growing market demand for low-carbon products and the importance of branding sustainability.
Uploaded files:
EN 
EL 
MK 