The system boundaries include the entire farm, encompassing all branches of farming, but limiting its scope to the agricultural sector and primary production (excluding tourism, processing, etc.).
The EAD tool was primary designed to increase on-farm ecological sustainability and therefore encompasses mainly the environmental dimension of sustainability. However, also socio-economic aspects as a supplementary risk assessment were integrated to reflect complex system interactions, which have an impact on the farms’ sustainability performance (also at the supplier and marketing level - see figure). The level of detail for the on-farm sustainability assessment was determined by the need for user-friendliness and easy applicability. The aim was that users are able to conduct a self-assessment within two hours of time.
The system under survey also includes the 10 most important farm types (14 farm types FADN – ranked by number) with a sum of at least 90% of farms and of agricultural area in each project country, excluding e.g. mushrooms, beekeeping and forestry. The area observed includes the agricultural area (excluding home gardens, private areas with trees, etc.), husbandry (excluding animals for private use), and effects on and through nearby areas.
Indicator development
For the development of the indicator set, we reflected on criteria and indicators of existing tools and standards for sustainability assessment and scientific literature. The selection of indicators is therefore based on internationally recognized standards in the field of sustainability assessment in agriculture, i.e. SAFA Guidelines and established methodologies in the field of sustainability assessment, such as SMART (Sustainability Monitoring and Assessment Routine). Respondents of the EAD tool will meet the indicator set in the form of questions, during filling out the survey.
Ecological themes and subthemes of the EAD tool based on SAFA-Guideline
|
Theme |
Theme Goal (SAFA) |
Subtheme |
Objective (SAFA) |
|
Atmosphere |
The enterprise’s actions contain greenhouse gases to the extent possible and do not release quantities of ozone-depleting substances and air pollutants that would be detrimental to the health of ecosystems, plants, animals or humans. |
Greenhouse Gases |
The emission of GHG is contained. |
|
Air Quality |
The emission of air pollutants is prevented and ozone depleting substances are eliminated. |
||
|
Biodiversity |
The areas under agriculture, forestry and fisheries are managed sustainably, ensuring conservation of all forms of biodiversity. |
Species Diversity |
The diversity of wild species living in natural and semi-natural ecosystems, as well as the diversity of domesticated species living in agricultural, forestry and fisheries ecosystems is conserved and improved. |
|
Genetic Diversity |
The diversity of populations of wild species, as well as the diversity of varieties, cultivars and breeds of domesticated species, is conserved and improved. |
||
|
Habitat Diversity |
The diversity, functional integrity and connectivity of natural, semi-natural and agrifood ecosystems are conserved and improved. |
||
|
Materials & Energy |
Damage to ecosystems and contribution to resource scarcity resulting from non-renewable material extraction, non-renewable energy use and waste disposal are minimised through economical and efficient use, consequent reuse and recycling/recovery and safe disposal. |
Material Use |
Material consumption is minimized and reuse, recycling and recovery rates are maximized. |
|
Energy Use |
Overall energy consumption is minimized and use of sustainable renewable energy is maximized. |
||
|
Waste Reduction & Disposal |
Waste generation is prevented and is disposed of in a way that does not threaten the health of humans and ecosystems and food loss/waste is minimized. |
||
|
Soil |
No land is lost due to surface sealing or mismanagement of arable lands and pastures, and soil fertility is preserved and enhanced. |
Soil Quality |
Soil characteristics provide the best conditions for plant growth and soil health, while chemical and biological soil contamination is prevented. |
|
Soil Conservation |
No land is lost through soil degradation and desertification and degraded land is rehabilitated. |
||
|
Water |
Freshwater withdrawal and use do not hinder the functioning of natural water cycles, activities do not contribute to water pollution that would impair the health of humans, plants and animal communities. |
Water Withdrawal |
Withdrawal of ground and surface water and/or use does not impair the functioning of natural water cycles and ecosystems and human, plant and animal communities. |
|
Water Quality |
The release of water pollutants is prevented and water quality is restored. |
||
|
Animal Welfare |
Animals are kept in such conditions that they can express their natural behaviour and are free from hunger, thirst, discomfort, pain, disease and other distress. |
Husbandry Conditions |
Animals are kept under species-appropriate conditions and free from discomfort, pain, injury and disease, fear and distress. |
|
Animal Health |
Animals are kept free from hunger and thirst, injury and disease. |
Weighing procedure
The CAPTVATE project invited national experts to assess the impact of each selected indicator on the various SAFA themes and subthemes (as above). Experts answerd the following questions:
a. Does the indicator have an impact on the respective sub-theme if it is fully met (100%)? (Treating) the indicators individually without relating the others.
b. If there is an impact, is this effect positive or negative (in other words: beneficial or debilitating) to the achievement of the subtheme goals?
c. How strong is the impact of the indicator on this subtheme? The following ordinal scaling is available for the evaluation: -3, -2, -1, 0, +1, +2, +3
Description of the scaling
+3 = strong beneficial impact on the goal of the subtheme
+2 = moderate beneficial impact on the goal of the subtheme
+1 = weak beneficial impact on the goal of the subtheme
0 = no impact on the goal of the subtheme
-1 = weak debilitating impact on target of subtheme
-2 = moderate debilitating impact on target of subtheme
-3 =strong debilitating impact on target of subtheme
