William R. Sutton

Integrating environment into agriculture and forestry : progress and prospects in Eastern Europe and Central Asia

This study reviews how the integration of environmental concerns into agriculture and forestry is progressing in the countries of Southeastern Europe (SEE) and of Eastern Europe, Caucasus, and Central Asia (EECCA) since 2000 and assesses prospects for the future. The present report is a contribution to the environment for Europe process. At the Fifth Ministerial Conference in Kiev in 2003, participants decided to pay greater attention to the needs of the EECCA and adopted an environmental strategy for the sub-region. The commitments made under that strategy are taken as benchmarks against which progress is assessed, recommendations made, and emerging environmental priorities reviewed. This report also includes an assessment of SEE countries and territories. The analysis provided here is intended primarily to inform discussions during and after the sixth environment for Europe Ministerial Conference, to be held in Belgrade in October 2007. The main text of this report provides a synthesis of major regional issues and trends, with broad recommendations for future directions and priorities. The annexes provide a wealth of data along with detailed country reviews for the 22 countries and territories studied.

Adaptation to climate change in Europe and Central Asia agriculture

To ensure the viability and competitiveness of agriculture and forestry and sustain rural livelihoods, it is critical to take stock of the impacts of climate change on rural sectors in Europe and Central Asia (ECA) countries and implement appropriate adaptive measures. The interactions between the weather-sensitive agriculture and forestry sectors, climate change, and the natural resource base are highly complex and deserve special attention. Globally, the increased frequency of heat stress, droughts and flooding events caused by climate change threaten to reduce crop yields and livestock productivity in many areas, while increased risks of fires and pest outbreaks will have negative consequences for forests. In this paper, the authors examine the exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity of ECA agriculture to climate change, and provide recommendations for addressing the challenges of climate through adaptation. We have made use of the best available climate change projections to categorize countries in the region by likely agricultural sector impacts. We have also attempted to synthesize information from the literature on climate change adaptation in agriculture in order to identify the most relevant points for ECA countries, including options for technical, institutional and policy measures. Based on this initial assessment, there are plans to support World Bank clients in carrying out assessments and developing strategies at the country level in the near future.