Adaptation to Climate Change in the Agricultural Sector

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 programs. 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 (AGRI-2006-G4-05)’ 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. The shorter summary presents a synopsis of the methodology approach and conclusions.