Report: Climate Change and Food Security in Eastern Europe

The recently published report presents the key findings of two scenario workshops with experts and regional stakeholders on climate change and food security that were conducted in February and May 2011 in Eastern Europe. The scenario workshops were part of the OSZE project „Climate Change and Security: Scenarios for Eastern Europe“, jointly organised by the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the European Environment Agency (EEA), and the Environment and Security Initiative (ENVSEC). adelphi supported the OSCE in the preparation and implementation of the workshops, and documented the results in a final report. The scenario report identified that food security will be imperilled by the combination of climate change and market forces: Both will significantly impact food affordability, which is particularly problematic as Eastern European citizens already need to spend large parts of their household income on food products. Consequently, adaptation to climate change in the agricultural sector will be particularly necessary.

The consequences of climate change begin to unfold and will increasingly do so. Preventive measures and early actions are necessary to avoid negative impacts. Scenarios may support decision-making by highlighting the potential range of risks and mitigating actions. As part of the project „Climate Change and Security: Scenarios for Eastern Europe“ the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the European Environment Agency (EEA), and the Environment and Security Initiative (ENVSEC) jointly organised two scenario development workshops in Eastern Europe to identify potential security implications of climate change in this region and generate policy recommendations for the respective member states with a view to mitigate the worst consequences of climate change. adelphi supported the OSCE in the preparation, implementation and documentation of the workshops. Achim Maas, Senior Project Manager at adelphi, briefly summarised the key findings together with Raul Daussa and Tamara Kutonova.

The recently published report shows that open markets may create strong pressures on food prices, yet closed markets are a significant obstacle to the needed substantial financial investments and the application of new technologies. A well-balanced approach is necessary, as well as good natural resource governance, as a way to improve regional food security. In supporting this, 25 regional recommendations in addition to national level recommendations for Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine were developed over the course of the scenario process to support Eastern Europe in mastering the challenges of climate change and food security.
The workshops as well as the final scenario report have been financially supported by the Environment and Security Initiative (ENVSEC).

For further information please see:
http://www.adelphi.de/en…

Scenario Report: Climate Change and Food Security in Eastern Europe:
http://www.adelphi.de/fi…