The Agricultural Sector towards Climate Neutrality

Abstract

Agriculture is one of the leading sectors which significantly contribute to the increase of GHG emissions, thus contributing to the negative impact that climate change can cause on biodiversity and create extreme weather changes, raise the sea levels, revers ocean currents etc. One of the main objectives of the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is to improve and promote the sustainability of rural regions by providing economic support and direct payments to ensure farmers’ incomes, which can be compared with the level of other sectors. Direct payments are not only a way to reward farmers but also an opportunity to generate income for farmers in an environmentally friendly operation, providing compensation for possible losses due to reduced production intensity or for costs incurred by farmers in applying climate and environmentally-friendly practices. However, the mechanisms used in the CAP – direct payments and subsidies – do not significantly increase agriculture’s sustainability and technological efficiency. Using a results-based scheme, it is possible to see more clearly the relationship between payment and biodiversity achievements; farmers are defined with specific results that must be achieved. Still, no specific actions are being taken taken to arrive at the results. In this article, the analysis based on a sustainability assessment of CAP measures is performed and blind spots are identified.