Rome – At an expert meeting hosted by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), scientists, practitioners and policymakers are discussing climate risks to agriculture and food systems. The aim is to present current findings in a way that helps governments and institutions develop effective, equitable strategies for adaptation and mitigation.
Background
Agriculture and food supply are already under high pressure. Increasing heat extremes, altered rainfall patterns, longer droughts and emerging pest and disease risks are changing yields and production conditions. The impacts vary widely by region: tropical and subtropical areas, low-lying and coastal zones are considered particularly vulnerable, while temperate regions face different, sometimes complex challenges.
Pressures on agricultural and food systems
Direct climate effects are reducing yields; water scarcity and degraded soils undermine production security. Extreme weather events destroy fields, infrastructure and storage capacity. Indirect consequences appear in prices, trade and food security: yield declines in one region can raise import costs and increase hunger and poverty risks among socially disadvantaged groups.
Particularly affected: smallholders
Smallholder farmers bear a disproportionate share of the risk. They often lack access to credit, advisory services, technology and reliable weather information. Gender inequalities exacerbate the situation, for example through limited land rights and reduced decision-making power for women. This poses both humanitarian and strategic risks to food security and social stability.
Adaptation options
The focus is on measures that cushion short-term yield losses and build long-term resilience: crop diversity and drought-tolerant varieties, more efficient irrigation, improved soil management and agroforestry systems. Early warning systems, better storage and expanded insurance solutions reduce losses after extreme events.
Nature-based solutions
Agroforestry, grazing management and wetland restoration improve water regulation, store carbon and support biodiversity. These approaches link adaptation and climate mitigation—provided they are planned with sensitivity to local contexts and firmly rooted in local implementation.
Mitigation of emissions
To reduce agricultural greenhouse gases, measures to curb methane from livestock and paddy rice are being discussed, including feed adjustments, better husbandry practices and altered rice water management. More precise fertilization and targeted soil management reduce nitrous oxide emissions while also enhancing soil fertility.
Synergies and trade-offs
Many solutions deliver multiple benefits, yet trade-offs remain. Yield increases can reduce pressure for land conversion but may harm biodiversity and soils if poorly managed. Short-term maximization without climate safeguards raises the risk of long-term damage. Integrated strategies are needed that combine nature-based practices, technological innovation and policy incentives, linking local measures with national climate and food policies.
Participation and knowledge transfer
Effective implementation requires the participation of those affected. Farmers’ organizations, indigenous communities and women’s groups bring indispensable practical knowledge that complements models and guidelines and makes measures more robust in the face of uncertainty.
Data and monitoring
Precise steering is hampered by gaps in regional climate models, site-specific yield forecasts and comprehensive emissions inventories. Better monitoring systems and connected data platforms are needed to support local decision-making and to reliably evaluate policy programs.
Financing and just transitions
Many adaptation and mitigation measures are initially costly—especially for small farms. Public funding, targeted credit, insurance schemes and private investment should be designed so that the most vulnerable groups benefit. Just transitions require accompanying policies: training, access to seed, technical assistance and social safety nets.
Implementing in practice
Participants are developing practical recommendations for governments, international organizations and civil society. Emphasis is on principles rather than blueprints: local adaptation, cross-sector planning, inclusion of vulnerable groups, robust monitoring and viable financing paths. Many solutions already exist—what matters now is their timely, equitable and context-sensitive implementation.
