In the second panel discussion of the evening of Thursday 30 January, experts talked about “Agriculture, rural areas, irrigation and ecosystems”. It was discussed how to approach agrifood ecosystems to cope with climate change.
They focused on systems which fulfil several functions, they work to achieve all standards in food security, culture and landscape and they deal with people. In other words, with rural populations, with the involvement of farming communities. Moreover, they bet on a food model which reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
To end the panel discussion, they proposed eight recommendations to tackle the challenges that climate changes poses in rural Mediterranean territories. They are structured in five axis.
1st axis. Ecosystem management; designing adaptive management plans for Mediterranean ecosystems due to climate change; recommendations: to promote sustainable rural landscapes through integrated conservation and development policies and to implement climate adaptation plans that strengthen the water resilience of ecosystems.
2nd axis Agricultural areas adapted to climate change and extreme events; recommendations: improving water resilience in agricultural areas by reducing water demands, implementing natural retention measures and controlled overflow spaces to mitigate damage by flooding.
3rd axis Sustainable agrifood systems; recommendations: to design climate mitigation plans adapted to the diversity of Mediterranean agrifood systems; to establish fair compensation mechanisms and technical support to achieve a climate transition to sustainable agrifood systems; to implement bio-cultural strategies and promote food sustainability in Mediterranean territories by strengthening community engagement and rural leadership in climate governance.
5th axis Rural areas quality of life and resilience; recommendations: to strengthen the resilience of inner rural territories to fight climate change by means of policies that incorporate infrastructure, equipment and key elements for rural population’s quality of life.
In this panel discussion participated Javier Esparcia, José María García Álvarez-Coque, Carles Sanchis, Albert Pèlachs, Antonio J. Castro and Júlia Martínez.
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