Unlock Agriculture’s Climate Action Potential for Climate and Food System Resilience

The document argues that the EU agriculture and food system has substantial potential for emission reductions, with estimates ranging from 44% to 60% by 2040, provided structural changes and shifts to healthier diets are implemented. The authors oppose the use of international carbon offsets and 'technical tweaks' to the industrial model, instead advocating for a binding sector-specific emission target and a transition toward organic farming, paludiculture, and reduced reliance on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. They emphasize that climate change already causes €28.3 billion in annual losses for farmers, making a systemic transition essential for long-term viability. The letter calls for the EU's next long-term budget to support farmers in this transition and for the entire agri-food value chain, including processors and retailers, to be held accountable.

• The EU agriculture and food system has significant potential for emission reductions by 2040, with the Commission's impact assessment suggesting a 44% reduction is possible through structural changes and modest dietary shifts, while the EU's Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change and other assessments suggest reductions of 56% to 60%.
• Climate change is already causing substantial financial damage to the agricultural sector, with the European Investment Bank reporting annual losses of €28.3 billion.
• The authors argue against relying on international carbon offsets or minor technical adjustments to the industrial agriculture model, asserting that the EU should achieve its 2040 target domestically as recommended by the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change.
• A systemic transition to agroecology, organic farming, and paludiculture is proposed to address climate, biodiversity, water, health, and animal welfare issues, requiring a shift away from industrial animal farming and a reduction in synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.

APA

Changing Markets Foundation (2025). Unlock Agriculture’s Climate Action Potential for Climate and Food System Resilience. https://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Unlock-Agricultures-Climate-Action-Potential-3.pdf

Chicago

Changing Markets Foundation. Unlock Agriculture’s Climate Action Potential for Climate and Food System Resilience. 2025. https://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Unlock-Agricultures-Climate-Action-Potential-3.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Changing Markets Foundation |title=Unlock Agriculture’s Climate Action Potential for Climate and Food System Resilience |date=5 June 2025 |url=https://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Unlock-Agricultures-Climate-Action-Potential-3.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{changingmarketsfoundation2025unlock, author = {{Changing Markets Foundation}}, title = {{Unlock Agriculture’s Climate Action Potential for Climate and Food System Resilience}}, publisher = {Changing Markets Foundation}, year = {2025}, month = jun, url = {https://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Unlock-Agricultures-Climate-Action-Potential-3.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }