Adaptation to Climate Change of Extensive Livestock Production Models in Europe

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

Climate change is having a substantial negative impact on the agricultural industry, especially in southern Europe. Increased temperatures and change in precipitation patterns (longer dry periods and more heavy rainfalls) are having a detrimental impact on the livestock of farmers from this region. The main impacts identified include:

Heat stress suffered by the animals that reduces their productivity and leads to increased operational costs as farmers need to provide adequate living conditions;

Deterioration of pastures due to intense heatwaves, as well as torrential rains and soil erosion;

Lower water availability and quality;

Changes in the diseases and pests that livestock have to cope with; and

Greater risks for species that are not capable of adapting.

Climate change will negatively impact most agroecosystems and, if the regions in which this takes place are not capable of adapting livestock management systems, this poses a serious threat to local biodiversity, human health, animal health, eco-tourism, resource efficiency and the quality of the produce of these industries.

OBJECTIVES

The LIFE LiveAdapt aims to demonstrate innovative technologies for livestock rearing that are adapted to the effects of climate change. These include the testing and use of improved water collection systems and better livestock management through the use of ICT and higher quality pastures. In this way, the project will identify, adapt and transfer the best practices introduced to combat climate-related risks for livestock in southern Europe. Best practices will also cover waste, agro-forestry, energy efficiency, energy production, desertification, animal health and biodiversity enrichment.

The end goal is to define innovative updated business models for the extensive exploitation of livestock adapted to the future climate scenarios. This includes cooperation with other sectors such as tourism. This objective aims to further promote environmentally friendly and high-quality goods that have an added value in the market, along with short food chain distribution and changes in consumer behaviour. To fulfil its objectives, the project plans to train and advise farmers on efficient adaptations and the use of ICT, as well as create an open and dynamic learning platform. The project will thus contribute to implementing the EU Strategy on adaption to climate change, along with European rural development and energy efficiency policy.

Expected results:

A validated system for efficient collection, management and use of water;

A validated system for reducing the amount of evaporation from water stores on site;

A validated system for the efficient management of extensive livestock exploitations through the use of ICTs;

A guide for the improvement of animal and pasture health, which has been validated with tested, innovative practises;

Over 30 best practices that have been adapted, validated and transferred to stakeholders in Spain, Portugal and France;

Five innovative business models adapted for extensive livestock exploitations;

Collect and use over 75 000 litres per year (Pilot 1);

Reduce water evaporation from water stores (e.g. farm ponds) by 70% (Pilot 1);

Reduce the cost in pilot ELE by 10% (Pilot 2);

Reduce CO₂ emissions by 10% on pilot farms;

Improve pasture quality in 10 extensive farms over the project lifetime;

Reinforce populations of local fauna (e.g. native dung beetles and earth worms) in the 10 extensive farms;

Increase the CO₂ storage capacity of the 10 extensive farms; and

Improve water and waste management, biodiversity, pastures, soils and CO₂ storage capacities, as well as reduce energy consumption, GHG emissions and costs on over 50 farms after the project has been concluded.