Adaptation to Climate Change in the Agricultural Sector

Climate change is a real concern for the sustainable development of agriculture, both globally and within the EU. Although agriculture is a complex and highly evolved sector, it is still directly dependent on climate, since heat, sunlight and water are the main drivers of crop growth. While some aspects of climate change such as longer growing seasons and warmer temperatures may bring benefits, there will also be a range of adverse impacts, including reduced water availability and more frequent extreme weather. These impacts may put agricultural activities, certainly at the level of individual land managers and farm estates, at significant risk.

The European Commission has recently adopted a Green Paper entitled ‘Adapting to climate change in Europe – options for EU action’ (COM(2007) 354). This sets out options to help the adaptation process and focuses on four priority areas, including early action to avoid damage and reduce overall costs. Adaptation efforts need to be stepped up at all levels and in all sectors, and need to be coordinated across the EU. The Commission will publish a White Paper containing more concrete policy proposals in 2008.

Climate change will add to the many economic and social challenges already being faced by European agriculture, with crop yields, livestock management and location of production likely to be affected. Adjustments to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the ‘Health Check’ of 2008 could provide opportunities to examine how to integrate adaptation into agriculture support programmes. Consideration might be given to the extent to which the CAP can promote good farming practices that are compatible with changing climatic conditions.

This study on ‘Adaptation to Climate Change in the Agricultural Sector’ aims to provide the European Commission with an improved understanding of the potential implications of climate change and adaptation options for European agriculture, covering the EU 27 Member States. It also aims to assist policy makers as they take up the adaptation challenge and develop measures to reduce the vulnerability of the sector to climate change.

The full report provides comprehensive technical analyses, together with background information and details of the methodology, literature sources and stakeholder interactions used in the study. This shorter summary presents a synopsis of the methodology approach and conclusions.

ESO: Background information: Green Paper from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions - Adapting to climate change in Europe – options for EU action http://www.europeansources.info/record/green-paper-from-the-commission-to-the-council-the-european-parliament-the-european-economic-and-social-committee-and-the-committee-of-the-regions-adapting-to-climate-change-in-europe-op/

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