Researchprojects

BAB 078/25: Climate change adaptation in Austrian arable farming

The agricultural sector plays a central role in the ongoing climate change. While agriculture continues to contribute significantly to the generation of greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants, it is also strongly affected by the impacts of climate change.
In addition to reducing the carbon footprint, increasing adaptation measures to climate change in European food production is a dedicated goal of the Green Deal with its Farm-to-Fork Strategy (European Commission, 2020). Austrian strategies for adaptation to climate change (e.g. National Adaptation Strategy or strategies of the Austrian federal states) also frequently point to the high need for adaptation, but also to the existing gaps in implementation (adaptation gaps).

The results of empirical studies also increasingly indicate that agriculture is not sufficiently adapted to the effects of climate change (see Schlenker and Roberts, 2009; Burke and Emerick, 2016). Zeilinger et al. (2023) confirm such ‘adaptation gaps’ for Austrian arable farms. The identification and description of barriers to adaptation therefore play an important role, as does the concept of adaptive capacity. This describes the ability of a system to respond successfully to climate change, including adaptations in behaviour, resources and technologies (IPCC, 2007). Recent studies in Europe show that the extent of climate change adaptation strongly depends on the level of adaptive capacity (e.g. available financial resources) (see e.g. Vanschoenwinkel, Moretti and Van Passel, 2020).
In order to strengthen the resilience of farms, detailed knowledge about the implementation of adaptation measures and the factors influencing adaptive capacity at farm level is necessary. This is also emphasised in the BML's Vision 2028+, which aims to expand application-oriented research in the field of climate change adaptation (BML, 2024).

Objective

The project aims to analyse the climate change adaptability of Austrian arable farms and to identify strategies to strengthen the implementation of adaptation measures.
In detail, the adaptation to climatic changes as well as the selection and implementation of adaptation measures on farm level will be analysed. A central aspect is then the formation of empirically based adaptation types of arable farms and the investigation of barriers and drivers for farm adaptation capabilities. Based on this, farm characteristics of the identified groups will be described in detail (e.g. to identify model farms). Subsequently, customised strategies for increasing adaptability will be developed in a participatory manner with various stakeholders, resulting in practice-oriented conclusions and recommendations.

Planned procedure, realisation

In order to be able to analyse and describe arable farms and their ability to adapt to climate change as comprehensively as possible, a mixed-method approach will be used. On the one hand, statistical-quantitative methods and social-scientific-qualitative methods are used, and on the other hand, semi-quantitative methods that combine both elements.
The basic approach involves a literature review as a first step. This will provide a detailed overview of the status of Austrian arable farming with regard to climate change, as well as theoretical concepts for describing adaptation (capacity). At the same time, influencing factors of adaptation (capacity) described in the literature are identified.
For an initial investigation of the climate change adaptation of arable farms, statistical analyses are carried out to identify potential, heterogeneous adaptation potentials of the farms and their influencing factors. To this end, econometric models will be applied to individual farm data that link agricultural activities (e.g. INVEKOS and accounting data) with detailed weather data.

An essential step in this project is the identification and classification of adaptation types of farms using the Q-method (see Watts and Stenner, 2005). Participants (farm managers of arable farms) sort a series of statements according to their agreement or disagreement. The collection of statements reflecting the different perspectives or opinions on climate change adaptation is compiled on the basis of literature research and finalised with the help of stakeholders. The sorted rankings are then statistically analysed to identify and group different perspectives or opinions.
Accordingly, a central aspect of the Q method is the targeted selection of a sample of participants (30-40). The selection of the arable farming regions and farms to be investigated is determined by synthesising the information from the literature research, the quantitative analyses and the participation of stakeholders (see below).

As part of the Q-method, semi-structured qualitative interviews will also be conducted with the managers of the selected companies in order to gain deeper insights into the motivations and challenges involved in implementing adaptation. The interview guidelines will be created on the basis of the initial results from the quantitative analysis and supplemented with relevant topics from the scientific literature.
Parallel to the ongoing project, various stakeholders will be involved in workshops at different times, for example to analyse needs and identify key points at the start of the project. In the final synthesis, the results from previous work steps will be integrated in discussion groups and key factors and barriers will be identified and prioritised. This collaborative approach makes it possible to take a variety of perspectives into account and to develop customised strategies for Austrian arable farming, as well as to determine suitable addressees.
The findings and specific strategies will be analysed and published as a final report. In addition, the results of the study will be published in the form of scientific articles for the specialised public in order to ensure their quality.

 Working 2025

  • Literature research
    - Overview of arable farming and climate change (e.g. vulnerability, adaptation measures)
    - Theoretical concepts for the description of adaptation (capacity)
  • Selection of statements for the Q-method
  • Econometric analyses to investigate the adaptation potential of farms and determining factors
  • Kick-off stakeholder participation
  • Synthesisation of factors influencing climate change adaptation from previous points
  • Initial preliminary work to determine the sample for the Q-method

Schedule

Project start: 01/2025
Project end: 12/2027 

 

 

 

 

 

Project Leader

ZEILINGER, Julian

DI Julian Zeilinger

Agricultural Economics and Data Management

Team

GRUENEIS, Heidelinde

DI.in Dr.in Heidelinde GRUENEIS

Mountain Areas Research and Regional Development
Dietrichgasse 27
1030 Wien
 +43 (1) 71100 - 637415

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