A study of Portuguese olive groves shows that returning organic matter to the soil is more important for carbon neutrality than organic certification. High-input practices, such as using cover crops and recycling pruning residues, significantly reduce net emissions compared to low-input systems. While these methods can turn groves into carbon sinks, researchers warn that soil sequestration has a limit. Long-term climate goals will require combining these agronomic practices with lower emissions from machinery and fertilization.
