The tool effectively addresses the disadvantages of existing systems, providing an innovative solution that allows full adaptation to the needs of each agri-food product. With the ability to collect and analyze real-time data at all levels of the supply chain, it enables accurate calculation of the carbon footprint and environmental impact of agri-food products. In this way, it offers significant competitive advantages, encouraging economically viable production and encouraging investment in the agri-food industry. This innovation investment plan seeks new opportunities at regional, national, European and global levels to address challenges in the agri-food sector, bringing benefits to farmers, agriculturists, consumers and businesses. Overall, this integrated tool is expected to enhance the sustainable performance of the agri-food sector, promoting growth, competitiveness and environmental protection.

The Sustainability Engineering Lab (SEL), which belongs to the Energy Sector of the Mechanical Engineering Department of the Athens University of Applied Sciences, will actively participate in the development of the proposed tool, focusing on its calculation algorithms. This is expected to significantly contribute to the accuracy of calculations and the correct capture of sustainable performance in the agri-food sector. In addition, the company Engineers for Business SA, with significant experience in the development of technological tools in the ICT sector, will contribute to the successful exploitation of the tool. The implementation plan is planned to be broken down into specific phases, ensuring the gradual development and certification of the tool. With the support of the partners involved, it is expected to create significant opportunities in the agri-food sector, enhancing economic viability and promoting sustainable development.

The proposed real-time sustainable agricultural production and agri-food resource management system aims to provide personalized and realistic sustainable valuation and carbon footprint calculation results for agri-food products. This is achieved by taking into account real field data and parameters, also incorporating sensors to collect real inputs in real time. The “Life Cycle Analysis” (LCA) methodology is used as a basis for the analysis and quantification of environmental impacts throughout the life cycle of agri-food products, being a reliable tool for improving environmental performance and integrating it into certification practices and product branding.