Proposing an ambitious energy model tailored to a unique and diverse Mediterranean region

Context and issues

In Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, agriculture is characterized by its diversity (viticulture, arboriculture, greenhouses, market gardening, grasslands) and by a high proportion of organic farming (35.8% of UAA cultivated organically, compared to 10.4% in France).

However, it remains energy-intensive and heavily dependent on fossil fuels (gas and electricity), particularly for heating greenhouses and providing the cold conditions necessary for winemaking or fruit and vegetable storage, for cultivation and fertilization, etc.

Mediterranean soils are poor in organic matter—the driving force behind the physical, chemical, and biological fertility of soils—leading to the use of polluting chemical fertilizers. However, many sources of organic matter (biowaste, agricultural mulch, compost, digestate, etc.) that could enrich our agricultural land are not yet being exploited in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.

Since its creation in 1976, Geres has been committed to the energy transition of regions in France and internationally. In the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, the association works to promote sustainable agriculture that is resilient to climate change, the development of renewable energies, and the ecological management of organic waste, particularly through biomass and methanization.

Geres offers an innovative, ambitious, relevant, and concrete economic and energy model to engage the region and its farmers in a sustainable future for the planet and its population.

Working with and supporting farmers in the transition

Objectives and solutions

To support farmers in the energy and ecological transition by working in collaboration with stakeholders in the profession.

The priorities defined focus on reducing energy consumption, developing renewable energies, ensuring decent incomes, local food autonomy, healthy food, sustainable waste management, and finally, sharing solutions between stakeholders in the sector.

Geres is working towards sustainable agriculture through an ambitious action plan, notably thanks to a variety of projects led by our teams across the region. These projects aim to:

• Encourage households to sort food waste so that it can be recycled into fertilizer for agriculture, by working with local authorities, social landlords, and small retailers
• Produce energy from agricultural residues, agri-food industry production waste, food scraps from residents, and livestock waste
• For organic matter that cannot be returned to the soil, find an outlet for it through combustion, meeting the heating needs of paper mills or distilleries, or producing electricity in biomass power plants
• Supporting farms in reducing their energy consumption, making them more resilient to energy price fluctuations and climatic constraints, in particular through more efficient production tools (bioclimatic greenhouses, cold rooms, etc.)
• Supporting farms in improving the quality of their soil, air, and working conditions (reducing stress related to climate hazards, etc.).  

Agir ensemble, se concerter et mieux valoriser la matière organique résiduelle (ou biodéchets) en Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur

Focus

Methane production is a powerful lever for transition in the sector: this process converts organic waste into renewable biogas and fertilizer digestate. This energy replaces fossil gas, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions from farms and regions. Methane production promotes a local circular economy and contributes to the energy transition in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region and the agro-ecological transformation of the agricultural sector.

Discover Metha’Synergie

a variety of stakeholders

Bénéficiaires

Plus de More than 6,600 farms have carried out an “energy and GHG” assessment.

Farmers and agricultural colleges are innovating to reduce air pollution, improve soil quality, lower their energy consumption and GHG emissions, develop solutions to adapt to climate change, and produce renewable energy (biogas or electricity).

This initiative is supported by around 20 institutional partners committed to sustainable agriculture and local communities.

Les partenaires techniques

• IRA2E : Bio de Provence-Alpes Côte d’Azur, Chambre Régionale d’Agriculture, Maison Régionale de l’Elevage, Filière Cheval Sud, l’enseignement agricole, Solagro,  Les Alchimistes Côte d’Azur 

• Distribution of bioclimatic greenhouses :  Bureau d’études Agrithermic, Groupe de Recherche en Agriculture Biologique (Grab) 
• Agricultural use of green waste and food bio-waste : Chambre Régionale d’Agriculture,  Bio de Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, GR CIVAM, Graine PACA 
• Support for the methanization sector : Région Sud, ADEME, Chambre Régionale d’Agriculture, IRA2E, Agence de l’eau, GrDF, Natran,  DREAL PACA