The EU’s agri-food system, which accounts for a third of net greenhouse gas emissions, is already suffering the impacts of climate change, with annual agricultural losses of €28 billion, according to a report by the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change, published on Wednesday 11 March.
One of the key recommendations is the introduction of a carbon pricing system (ETS, for Emissions Trading System) dedicated to agriculture, based on the polluter pays principle and applied progressively. The income generated would be reinvested to support farmers, encourage emissions reductions and develop carbon sequestration.
The report also recommends phasing out subsidies for high-emission practices, providing targeted support for farmers, strengthening tools for dealing with climate impacts, promoting sustainable diets and reducing waste, and ensuring sufficient public funding.
It stresses that current efforts are still insufficient to achieve the 2040-2050 climate targets and protect food security. The implementation of the common agricultural policy (CAP) 2028-2034 and the future 2031-2040 climate framework represent an opportunity to align agriculture with its climate objectives, according to the report.
See the report: https://aeur.eu/f/l49 (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)