The measures and instruments in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) which affect where in Europe agriculture takes place, what and how much is produced and how agricultural land is managed have important implications for climate action. These can be positive – for example when farmers are encouraged through policy measures to manage their land in ways which reduce carbon losses or increase the carbon stored there – or negative. An example of negative impact is when policy increases the level of greenhouse gas emissions associated with agricultural production, or encourages farmers to reduce carbon stocks such as trees and hedges.

In addition to the part it plays in emissions, agriculture is both threatened by climate change – to which it needs to adapt – and a potential avenue for solutions for society at large, for example in the form of floodwater management and other “green infrastructure”.

This report seeks to understand the impact which certain measures of the CAP have had on reducing GHG emissions, agriculture’s vulnerability to climate change and its ability to provide adaptation and mitigation services to society.