Climate change’s impact on food production

Climate change and its consequences threaten agricultural systems and our food production. Farmers are already facing big challenges as a result. At the same time, 11% of EU’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions come from agriculture. Time to steer the wheel around is limited. But, changing the way we produce food can make a big difference – both in mitigating climate change and helping farmers to adapt and become more resilient.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)’s 2022 report on mitigation states that agriculture and other land use can help removing and storing carbon; however, they cannot compensate for delayed emissions reductions in other sectors.

The biodiversity and climate crises are intrinsically linked and looking at them from a single and narrow perspective will fail to bring solutions offering multiple benefits. Preserving biodiversity and intact ecosystems are necessary to:

• Succeed in climate protection and adaptation, and

• Ensure nature’s continued contribution to people such as clean water and healthy soils.

Organic farming has high potential reducing GHG emissions and increasing soil carbon sequestration – while also sustaining healthy soils and protecting biodiversity and ecosystem functions