Environmental footprint assessment and mitigation strategies in agricultural cooperatives: A case study towards cleaner production in arid regions

Carbon and water footprint methodologies are widely used in agri-food systems, yet their organisational application, particularly in cooperatives, remains limited. This study addresses this gap by quantifying the carbon footprint (CF) and water footprint (WF) of a Mediterranean horticultural cooperative in production, packaging, and distribution, and linking the results to targeted mitigation actions. Results showed that 76.26% of total greenhouse gas emissions were concentrated in a small set of processes and inputs. Blue water use also clustered in a few hotspots related to irrigation practices and post-harvest handling. Based on these findings, we designed a portfolio of measures that includes sensor-based irrigation, photovoltaic self-consumption, composting of organic residues, integrated pest management, and sustainable procurement. Scenario analysis indicates that this portfolio could reduce CF and WF by 20%–30% over three years without compromising productivity. Sensitivity analysis confirms the robustness of the results and highlights the role of data quality and boundaries. The study provides a practical roadmap for cooperatives seeking measurable reductions in emissions and water use, with transparent, accountable monitoring and reporting. This work demonstrates a scalable, data-informed approach that connects footprint indicators with decisions at the organisational level. It aligns technical actions with policy goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals and the European Green Deal. The approach is transferable to other semi-arid regions that face resource constraints and rising decarbonisation pressure. The results support circular economy and sustainable production and consumption and provide evidence to inform mitigation and Environmental Impact Assessment. • Electricity consumption and upstream agriculture are the main drivers of the environmental footprint. • Photovoltaic self-consumption and compost application significantly reduce emissions. • More than 99% of water use is associated with pre-processing agricultural stages. • Environmental strategies already implemented could achieve a 20%–30% footprint reduction. • Findings demonstrate the feasibility of efficient, low-carbon agricultural production.