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Quantifying the Performance of European Agriculture Through the New European Sustainability Model

Author

Listed:
  • Puiu-Lucian Georgescu

    (Department of Chemistry, Physics and Environment, Dunarea de Jos University of Galați, 800008 Galați, Romania)

  • Nicoleta Barbuta-Misu

    (Department of Business Administration, Dunarea de Jos University of Galați, 800008 Galați, Romania)

  • Monica Laura Zlati

    (Department of Business Administration, Dunarea de Jos University of Galați, 800008 Galați, Romania)

  • Costinela Fortea

    (Department of Business Administration, Dunarea de Jos University of Galați, 800008 Galați, Romania)

  • Valentin Marian Antohi

    (Department of Business Administration, Dunarea de Jos University of Galați, 800008 Galați, Romania)

Abstract

The study aims to assess the performance of European sustainable agriculture through a new model of agricultural sustainability, addressing a significant gap identified in the literature: the lack of a systematic framework integrating the economic, environmental, and resource efficiency dimensions of agricultural resource use in the context of the EU Common Agricultural Policy and the Green Deal. The research develops four synthetic indicators: ISPAS (Index of Sustainable Agricultural Productivity), IREA (Index of Reduced Emissions from Agriculture), ISAC (Index of Combined Agricultural Sustainability), and IESA (Index of Agricultural Land Area Efficiency), each reflecting complementary aspects of sustainable agricultural performance. The methodology is based on an econometric linear model and a dynamic Arellano–Bond model, which allows the analysis of the temporal relationships between synthetic indicators and agricultural sustainability performance, capturing the inertia effects and structural dynamics of the European agricultural sector. The modeling provides a robust approach to capture the interdependencies between agricultural emission reductions, sustainability mainstreaming, and land use efficiency. The results of the study indicate a superior quality of measurement by applying this integrated framework, highlighting significant relationships between emission reductions, the integration of economic and environmental dimensions, and the optimization of agricultural land use. The analysis also provides valuable policy implications, suggesting concrete directions for adapting European agricultural policies to the structural particularities of Member States. By integrating a dynamic methodological framework and innovative synthetic indicators, this study contributes to a thorough understanding of agricultural sustainability performance and provides a practical tool for underpinning sustainable agricultural policies in the European Union.

Suggested Citation

  • Puiu-Lucian Georgescu & Nicoleta Barbuta-Misu & Monica Laura Zlati & Costinela Fortea & Valentin Marian Antohi, 2025. "Quantifying the Performance of European Agriculture Through the New European Sustainability Model," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-29, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:15:y:2025:i:2:p:210-:d:1570367
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Emilia Herman, 2025. "Changes and Challenges in EU Agricultural Holdings and Their Impact on Rural Development," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-37, May.
    2. Delia-Mioara Popescu & Mircea-Constantin Duica & Nicoleta-Mihaela Duta (Ghita) & Anisoara Duica & Cristina-Maria Voinea & George Stanescu, 2025. "Transforming Agriculture for a Sustainable Future: Economic, Ethical, and Environmental Perspectives," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-18, June.
    3. Nicolae Istudor & Marius Constantin & Donatella Privitera & Raluca Ignat & Irina-Elena Petrescu & Cristian Teodor, 2025. "Systemic Competitiveness in the EU Cereal Value Chain: A Network Perspective for Policy Alignment," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-31, March.
    4. Lilia Șargu & Gabriela Ignat & Angela Timuș & Ioan Prigoreanu & Nicu Șargu, 2025. "Economic and Energy Assessment of Emissions from European Agriculture: A Comparative Analysis of Regional Sustainability and Resilience," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-24, March.

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