An Assessment of the Impact of Latvian New Common Agriculture Policy: Transition to Climate Neutrality

Abstract

Agriculture ranks among the key sectors responsible for substantially rising greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The increase in emissions contributes to the adverse effects of climate change, including threats to biodiversity, the potential for extreme weather events, elevated sea levels, and alterations to ocean currents. The European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is a comprehensive framework that aims to achieve sustainability and advance the agricultural sector’s journey towards climate neutrality by addressing social, economic, and environmental goals. The study aims to evaluate Latvia’s Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan (CAP SP) and to evaluate the impact of the policy. The goal of the study is to determine which objectives are more likely to succeed based on the overall state of Latvia’s agricultural sector and by evaluating the provided information in Latvia’s CAP. The assessment of the CAP SP reveals that there are clear and specific metrics in place for the high-impact goals, particularly those related to addressing climate change and managing resources. According to the TOPSIS analysis, the climate change (SO4) and environmental care (SO5) objectives demonstrate the most significant impact. Objectives associated with European Union policies, such as the National Energy and Climate Plan, European Green Deal, and Farm to Fork strategy, are more likely to succeed than objectives not connected to these or similar policies.

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“…The study by L. Vistarte et al (2023) shows a significant positive impact of the new common agricultural policy of Latvia on the climate resilience of the sector. The authors found that Latvia's new policy aimed at climate neutrality was successful.…”

Landscape Biodiversity in Terms of Crop Structures: A Spatial Assessment for Poland

“…Sample fragment of CORINE Land Cover maps (same scale)By closing the gap between current and potential diversity, crop diversity could double on 84% of the world's agricultural land without changing the total amount of food produced globally(Merlos & Hijmans, 2022), and this would improve the quality and value of ecosystem services provided(Sujetovienė & Dabašinskas, 2023). The Common Agricultural Policy and the European Green Deal strategy play an important role in this respect, improving the biodiversity of the agricultural landscape through various financial incentives(Vistarte et al, 2023). In addition to its environmental benefits, crop diversification brings positive economic and social effects such as increased exports and new jobs(Neogi & Ghosh, 2022).…”