Background Italy’s agricultural sector is considered to be responsible for producing 35% of the country’s methane and 45% of its nitrous oxide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Much of these emissions are linked to intensive livestock husbandry. The Pianura Padana (Po River plain) contains the highest concentration of livestock in Italy and the need exists there to develop new methods for limiting emission of methane, ammonia and volatile non-methane organic compounds. Odour pollution is also high in the Pianura Padana and options exist to address all these negative environmental impacts via converting livestock waste into renewable energy. Objectives The project aims to develop an integrated strategic approach for mitigating GHG emissions from dairy farms in the target area. This will be achieved by monitoring 50 dairy farms in the province of Lodi. Monitoring data will be analysed to increase knowledge about: GHG of enteric origin, through the evaluation of dietary strategies that may reduce methane emissions and excretion of nitrogen in faeces; Processes that drive CO2, CH4, and N2O emissions in dairy production and how to best harness such emissions within biogas production units; How different types of livestock shelters can be adapted to maximise manure and waste management efficiency; Options for optimising the efficiency of biogas plants; Impacts of agro-technique (fertilisation, irrigation, cultivation) on productive, environmental and economic aspects of biomass production from crops; and How organic waste from livestock farming can be best used to improving organic content and nutrient levels in soils that are used for producing energy crops. Information gained during the project will assist researchers, farm planners, and policy-makers to develop and maintain sustainable farming systems. Expected results: GHG reduction from livestock manure by the validation of strategic approaches in nutrition management; Design of robust strategic approaches to mitigate GHG emission relative to biomass crop, manure and digestate management; Improved biogas production; Demonstration of the effects of agro-techniques (tillage and irrigation) and organic matter inputs (compost, digestate, effluents) on the LCA and economic budget of biomass crop production; Validation (in terms of practical efficacy and sustainability) of diets that are proven to be effective in reducing methane emissions; Identification of manure management and slurry collection methods that facilitate maximum methane yields.