One of the most significant aspects of climate change is its impact on the agricultural sector. A report from the European Commission highlights that livestock farming is among the sectors most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. The sector faces challenges such as changing weather patterns, water supply, and food safety.
In the Netherlands, the urgency of climate change is also recognized. According to an EU report, the Netherlands has become a hotspot for climate disasters. This poses significant challenges in water management, flood protection, and biodiversity preservation for the country.
These findings are underscored by a recent analysis of climate change risks in Europe. The report stresses the need for a comprehensive strategy to address the impact of climate change, including measures to increase the resilience of agricultural systems and accelerate the transition to sustainable practices.
Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra indicated last week that Europe is still not adequately prepared for the consequences of climate change. Therefore, the European Commission is preparing a new strategy to better deal with this. This strategy is expected to focus on strengthening the resilience of European society and promoting innovation in climate adaptation.
In the European Parliament's Agriculture Committee, Hoekstra defended the EU plans to virtually completely eliminate greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 (=climate neutrality). All business sectors in the EU countries will need to cooperate, including agriculture and the food industry. And not only farmers and producers but also customers and buyers (=chain approach).
Hoekstra also emphasized that through the Strategic Dialogue of President Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission chooses 'to consult with everyone beforehand, provided it is clear that we ultimately have to take action. Climate change will not disappear. Doing nothing is not an option,' he made clear.
However, the question of how much agriculture will have to contribute is left to the new European Parliament and the new European Commission; they will begin addressing this earliest in 2025.