Europe’s carbon farming transition moves to implementation: High-level leaders gather in Padua for the 3rd European Carbon Farming Summit
From 17–19 March 2026, policymakers, business leaders, scientists, and farmers from across Europe will gather in Padua for the 3rd European Carbon Farming Summit (ECFS26) – now recognised as one of the leading global events dedicated to carbon farming and regenerative agriculture. The Summit is co-organised by SAE Innova and Climate KIC within the Credible consortium – and co-hosted by EIT Food (as LILAS4SOILS coordinator) and Confagricoltura Veneto, with support from Veneto Agricoltura.
After successful editions in Valencia (2024) and Dublin (2025), the Summit continues to grow in scale and relevance. Participation has increased steadily across editions, from over 600 participants in Valencia to more than 1,000 stakeholders engaged in Dublin (in person and online), reflecting rising political and market interest in land-based climate solutions.
The ECFS26 provides a crucial space to align policy, science and practice as we move from pilot initiatives to operational systems.
Christian Holzleitner, Head ofUnit for Land Economy and Carbon Removals (DG CLIMA). The 2026 edition is expected to bring together more than 700 participants in person, alongside a broad online audience. This year’s Summit marks a decisive moment for Europe’s land sector, as attention shifts from pilot initiatives and methodology testing towards the practical implementation of the Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming (CRCF) Regulation.
Europe is entering a decisive phase in the implementation of the CRCF Regulation. The focus is now on ensuring that carbon farming delivers measurable climate impact while creating real value for farmers and land managers.
Christian Holzleitner, Head ofUnit for Land Economy and Carbon Removals (DG CLIMA). High-level speakers include senior representatives from the European Commission, including Kurt Vandenberghe, Director-General for Climate Action (DG CLIMA), Christian Holzleitner, Head of Unit for Land Economy and Carbon Removals (DG CLIMA), Elisabeth Werner, Director-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI), Kirsten Dunlop, Chief Executive Officer, Climate KIC, and Alessandra Zampieri, Director of Sustainable Resources at the European Commission Joint Research Centre, alongside leaders from business, finance, research, and farming organisations. Companies such as Mars and BASF will also join policymakers and practitioners to explore how carbon farming can move from concept to operational reality.
Carbon farming will only scale if it is credible, economically viable, and grounded in the realities and needs of farmers and land managers.
Kirsten Dunlop, Chief Executive Officer, Climate KICEmphasising the most pressing questions and opportunities for carbon farming in Europe, the Summit will focus on five key themes: From practice to impact; Thinking beyond carbon; Standards, policy, and ownership rights; Financing carbon farming at scale; and Building robust and flexible MRV. Discussions will address how to increase uptake across diverse land uses, simplify participation for small and medium-sized farms, ensure fair value and shared risk, and align carbon farming with broader biodiversity, soil health, and rural resilience goals.
The Padua Summit marks an important step to help ensure that Europe’s land-based transition delivers measurable impact and long-term resilience.
Kirsten Dunlop, Chief Executive Officer, Climate KICArticulated around keynote presentations, plenary panels, workshops, oral presentations and posters, the Summit will offer countless networking and discussion opportunities. Key sessions will be streamed via the Project Credible’s YouTube channel, ensuring broad access for stakeholders across Europe. Visit the Summit’s website to find the full Programme.
MEDIA CONTACTseth.armstrong-twigg@climate-kic.org