The adverse effects of climate change are already being felt across Europe. Extreme weather conditions, including recent heat waves in many parts of the EU, are already causing economic damage to farmers and the agricultural sector.

These adverse impacts are expected to increase as a result of projected climate change, according to a report by the European Environment Agency (EEA) “Adaptation to climate change in the European agricultural sector”.

The EEA report emphasizes that enhancing the use of existing adaptation measures requires more knowledge, innovation and awareness, such as the adoption of adapted crops, improved irrigation methods, fields and agroforestry, crop diversification or precision farming.

The EU adaptation strategy is a key factor in climate change adaptation in Europe. One of its goals is to integrate adaptation into various EU policies, including the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

However, this process at the farm level often does not occur due to lack of funding and political support for adaptation, as well as institutional capacity and access to know-how in this area.

“New records are being set around the world due to climate change, and the negative effects of these changes are already affecting agricultural production in Europe, especially in the south.

Despite some progress, much remains to be done to adapt the sector itself, especially at the farm level, and future EU policies should be designed to facilitate and accelerate the transition in this sector, ”said Hans Bruninx, EEA Executive Director.