Leveraging science to increase policy ambition, farmers’ resilience and food security in Southeastern Europe and the EU

Leveraging science to increase policy ambition, farmers’ resilience and food security in Southeastern Europe and the EU

Science-backed, accessible and comprehensive information about agricultural risks is crucial for combatting food insecurity. Climate change is increasingly affecting crop yields worldwide, impacting farmers’ livelihoods and threatening agricultural supply chains. Fluctuating weather patterns pose significant challenges to the agricultural sector, making it crucial to develop informed strategies for resilience.

Against this backdrop, Climate Strategies has been working with our partners (Columbia University’s AgMIP; National Observatory of Athens; Climate Strategies; FACETS and METEOME) to develop the Augures! project. This strategic service seeks to equip decision-makers with the information needed to react to the consequences of climate change on the agricultural sector. By employing an innovative, multidisciplinary approach that integrates climate, crop, and economic modelling, Augures! aims to provide actionable insights for policymakers and farming communities.

On October 16, 2021, we convened a dynamic workshop in Athens titled: ‘Anticipating Agricultural Climate Shocks: Leveraging Science to Increase Policy Ambition, Farmers’ Resilience, and Food Security in Southeastern Europe and the EU.‘ The event brought together a diverse community of practice to discuss early results from the project and start a conversation on bridging the gaps between science, policy and the needs of farming stakeholders.

Key takeaways from the workshop:

Climate impacts on agriculture are heterogeneous and complex: context-specific assessments resulting from integrated assessment modelling can be powerful tools in the face of climate uncertainty.
To support farm management decisions in the short and long term, access to open, transparent, and trusted climate data must be paired with systemic capacity building, improved education, and access to finance.
Scientific insights must be effectively communicated to become actionable: information-sharing systems can be improved through regular engagements with rural communities and agricultural policy practitioners.
Multistakeholder dialogues are crucial for moving these efforts forward and helping the EU agricultural sector build a more resilient and sustainable future.