Background Italy’s agricultural sector is considered to be responsible for producing 35% of the country’s methane and 45% of its nitrous oxide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. There is a link between intensive agricultural activities and the level of these emissions. Much of Emilia-Romagna’s agricultural output is focused on producing high quality food, such as Parmigiano Reggiano cheese (a Protected Designations of Origin – PDO – product); Protected Geographical Indications (PGI) peaches and pears, as well as labelled beef and fresh milk produced in environmentally-friendly integrated farms. A green policy on GHG emissions could further improve the sustainability of these local agricultural production systems. Objectives The Climate changE-R project aims to help to reduce GHG emissions caused by selected agricultural food chains on a regional scale. It will tackle emissions of Methane (CH4) from enteric origin, Nitrous oxide (N2O) from soil and manure and Carbon dioxide (CO2) from energy use. The general aim is to reduce the emissions by 200 000 tonnes CO2 equivalent over a three-year period in specific food production sectors (tomato, green bean, wheat, peaches and pears) and in the beef and milk production chains. Best Practices will be tested and assessed through an open governance process involving stakeholders and policy makers. Analysis of the best practices will include an assessment of the impact of the GHG reduction measures on agricultural productivity. Expected results: The project expects to achieve the following results:A 3% reduction in GHG emissions from agriculture compared to the current trend (equivalent to a cut of 300 000 tonnes CO2 eq/yr, assessed for Emilia- Romagna from the 1990-2009 trend of the national inventory);Development of Best Practices for mitigating agricultural GHG emissions through techniques and means that are effective in reducing the release in the atmosphere of CH4 of enteric origin and from manure; N2O from soil and manure; and CO2 from energy use, as well as in improving soils’ carbon sequestration; Mitigate climate change through lessons learnt. Relevant governance practices will be applied in the forthcoming regional Rural Development Plan 2014-2020; and Transition towards a low carbon emissions economy in agriculture, thanks to: dissemination of the project results amongst agriculture operators, citizens and consumers; and demonstration of the Best Practices to stakeholders and policy-makers at European, national and local levels.