The School

Rapid population growth and industrial progress have led to the accumulation of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere, resulting in global warming increase of 1.5°C compared to the pre-industrial period. Climate change represents an urgent issue to be faced in order to prevent harmful impacts on both environment and communities. The Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development are the most important global policies for mitigating the effect of climate change aimed at achieving net-zero global emissions by 2050. Agricultural chemistry may play an important role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by adopting policies aimed at optimizing the use of natural resources and protecting the soil-plant system from a circular economy perspective. These measures can contribute to improve soil health and crop production, reduce pollution (heavy metals, pesticides, antibiotics, microplastics) and promote the use of renewable energy sources. In addition, because of the many chemical qualities, the reuse of agricultural by-products can have significant implications in a variety of industrial sectors, including the food industry (food additives and supplements), agriculture (biofertilizers and biostimulants) and green energy (biogas). All these actions pave the way for sustainable development of the agricultural sector in agreement with SDGs, contributing to lowering the C footprint and reaching climate neutrality.

This edition of the Agricultural Chemistry Winter School will focus on the aforementioned concerns while also promoting the importance of research in agricultural chemistry among young scientists in an international, multidisciplinary, and friendly environment. The Winter School, organized by the Italian Society of Agricultural Chemistry (SICA) and hosted at the Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering of the University of Perugia, is offered to doctoral students, post-docs and early-stage researchers, and aims at providing an opportunity to: (i) exchange and extend their understanding of the theoretical, conceptual and applicative aspects regarding soil, plant and environmental sciences; (ii) provide insights into novel methodological and analytical approaches; (iii) build and nurture research networks; and (iv) consolidate scientific writing and communication skills. The program will therefore provide a series of activities including keynote lectures, seminars, workshops, as well as oral and poster presentations by the participants.