Declining yields due to warmer temperatures and less rain, biodiversity loss, increased risk of floods… the impacts of climate change on European agriculture are irrefutable… But what impact does agriculture have on climate change? And what role can it play in helping address this challenge?

EPRS policy podcast - EU agricultural policy and climate change

Climate change remains a key challenge. The EU and the European Parliament are working to ensure a more sustainable society and economy through ambitious policies at home and close cooperation with international partners. It is already on track to meet its greenhouse gas emissions reduction target for 2020, and has put forward a plan to further cut emissions by at least 55% by 2030.

By 2050, Europe aims to become the world’s first climate-neutral continent. Alongside reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the EU is also taking action to adapt to the impacts of climate change. By 2050, Europe aims to be a climate-resilient society. Climate action is at the heart of the European Green Deal – an ambitious package of measures ranging from drastically cutting greenhouse gas emissions, to investing in cutting-edge research and innovation, to preserving Europe’s natural environment.

Climate change

On Thursday MEPs debate how droughts and extreme weather events pose significant threats to local communities and EU agriculture amid climate change. Increasingly frequent and severe droughts are straining water resources, impacting crop yields, and threatening food security across Europe. Extreme weather events, such as heatwaves and heavy rainfall, further exacerbate these challenges by causing crop failures, soil erosion, and damage to infrastructure.

Addressing these issues is essential not only for protecting the livelihoods of communities dependent on farming and rural economies but also for safeguarding agricultural productivity.

Droughts and extreme weather events as a threat to local communities and EU agriculture in times of climate change

EP Plenary session - Commission statement - The extreme wildfires in Southern Europe, in particular Portugal and Greece and the need for further EU climate action on adaptation and mitigation

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Towards a more disaster resilient EU - protecting people from extreme heatwaves, floods and forest fires

EP Plenary session - The water crisis in Europe

REGI Delegation in La Palma - Press Conference and the Meeting with the Spanish Authorities

REGI Delegation at Tacande in La Palma

REGI Delegation at Cruce de la Laguna in La Palma.

REGI in Mirador de Tajuya, La Palma - Volcano aftermath  and reconstruction

EP Plenary session - Joint debate - Natural disasters in Europe

European, German, Croatian and French flags at half-mast in front of the European Parliament buildings in Brussels and Strasbourg as a sign of European solidarity and out of respect for the victims of the Christmas market attack in Magdeburg, Germany, the Chido Cyclone in Mayotte, France, and the knife attack at an elementary school in Zagreb, Croatia.

European, German, Croatian and French flags at half-mast in front of the European Parliament buildings in Brussels and Strasbourg for the victims of the attack in Magdeburg, the Chido Cyclone in Mayotte and the knife attack in Zagreb

Younous OMARJEE (The Left, FR), and Andrzej BULA (EPP, PL) hold a press briefing on the Regional Emergency Support to Reconstruction (“RESTORE”) proposal. The Regional Emergency Support to Reconstruction (“RESTORE”) proposal allows EU countries to more easily channel European regional development funds (ERDF) and cohesion funds to disaster reconstruction. The “RESTORE” proposal was adopted by 638 votes in favour, 10 against with 5 abstentions. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by Younous OMARJEE (The Left, FR), and Andrzej BULA (EPP, PL), co-rapporteurs on the restore proposal

EP President Roberta METSOLA opens the plenary session with a statement in memory of the victims of Cyclone Chido in Mayotte. MEPs join in a minute of silence afterwards. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President on the natural disaster in Mayotte and minute of silence for the victims of Cyclone Chido in Mayotte

MEPs vote on several topics: Cunha (A10-0015/2024) - Amending short-stay visas regulation (EU) 2018/1806) as regards Vanuatu; Objection pursuant to Rule 114(3): Measures to reduce incidental catches of common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) and other small cetaceans in the Bay of Biscay; and Lupo (A10-0020/2024) - Mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund to provide assistance to Germany and Italy relating to floods occurred in 2024. Statement by Giuseppe LUPO, (S&D, IT) before the announcement of the results of the vote.

Votes on short-stay visas regulation; incidental catches of common dolphin; and assistance to Germany and Italy relating to floods

In response to the devastating floods in Spain that have claimed over 200 lives, the European Parliament debates measures to strengthen the EU’s resilience to extreme weather events and provide support to those impacted by the disaster. This new item, added to the agenda plenary approval, is discussed by MEPs following a tribute to the victims. The debate focuses on enhancing the EU’s crisis response, particularly in regions increasingly vulnerable to such climate-driven events. This session underscores the EU's commitment to improving climate adaptation efforts across member states. Opening statement by Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

The devastating floods in Spain, the urgent need to support the victims, to improve preparedness and to fight the climate crisis: opening statement by Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management

In response to the devastating floods in Spain that have claimed over 200 lives, the European Parliament debates measures to strengthen the EU’s resilience to extreme weather events and provide support to those impacted by the disaster. This new item, added to the agenda plenary approval, is discussed by MEPs following a tribute to the victims. The debate focuses on enhancing the EU’s crisis response, particularly in regions increasingly vulnerable to such climate-driven events. This session underscores the EU's commitment to improving climate adaptation efforts across member states. Closing statement by by Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management.

The devastating floods in Spain, the urgent need to support the victims, to improve preparedness and to fight the climate crisis: closing statement by Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management

In response to the devastating floods in Spain that have claimed over 200 lives, the European Parliament debates measures to strengthen the EU’s resilience to extreme weather events and provide support to those impacted by the disaster. This new item, added to the agenda plenary approval, is discussed by MEPs following a tribute to the victims. The debate focuses on enhancing the EU’s crisis response, particularly in regions increasingly vulnerable to such climate-driven events. This session underscores the EU's commitment to improving climate adaptation efforts across member states.

The devastating floods in Spain, the urgent need to support the victims, to improve preparedness and to fight the climate crisis: MEPs debate

This news item shows extracts from the hemicycle during the minute of silence in honour of the flood victims in Valencia, the EP President Metsola statement before the session and extracts from the debate on the devastating floods in Spain and the urgent need to support the victims. In response to the devastating floods in Spain that have claimed over 200 lives, the European Parliament debates measures to strengthen the EU’s resilience to extreme weather events and provide support to those impacted by the disaster. This new item, added to the agenda plenary approval, is discussed by MEPs following a tribute to the victims. The debate focuses on enhancing the EU’s crisis response, particularly in regions increasingly vulnerable to such climate-driven events. This session underscores the EU's commitment to improving climate adaptation efforts across member states.

The devastating floods in Spain, the urgent need to support the victims, to improve preparedness for the climate crisis: extracts from the opening statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and from the minute of silence and extracts from the debate

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