The impact of global warming on the Iberian Peninsula is undeniable. According to different studies, by the end of the century, the proportion of warm days is expected to increase by up to 50%, especially in the inland and east of the country, and in the short term, average sea levels will rise by between 17 and 25 centimeters. These factors will have a considerable impact on the development of Spanish agriculture.
Faced with this new scenario, the Government recently published a draft of the new national plan for adaptation to climate change (Pnacc) 2021-2030, which will be the basic instrument to promote coordinated action against the effects of climate change in Spain in the next decade. This plan adds to other initiatives, such as the recent draft bill on climate change and energy transition, which aims to mitigate the risks derived from climate change and better assess those that could have an impact on the country’s main crops.
Regarding the funding of the investments necessary to carry out the adaptation of agriculture to climate change, Spain relies on European funds. For this reason, the draft plan highlights the importance of boosting the funding of instruments such as the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), including direct payments through the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (Feaga) and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).
Sustainability is one of the most important objectives of the new EU strategies within the framework of the European Green Agreement, as shown by the recently presented “From Farm to Table” strategy, which aims to accelerate the transition to sustainable food systems. The prospect is that by 2021, the countries of the European Union will allocate at least 40% of the CAP funds to environmental and climate objectives.
Source: Freshplaza.com / Efeagro.com
