Preliminary assessment of risks and opportunities in the agri-food sector related to climate change

According to several studies, in 2017 human-induced warming reached approximately 1°C above pre-industrial levels, increasing at 0.2°C per decade. In this context, it is essential that companies understand the risks of climate change and the tools with which manage them. This thesis work consists of an in-depth study of climate events resulting from climate change that can cause impacts on the studied business system (hazards). Firstly, it has been evaluated the exposure level of the company system with reference to each of the identified hazards. Secondly, it has been identified the possible impacts (consequences) on the business system and the affected impact areas, followed by the evaluation of vulnerability level of the business system against the identified impacts of climate change. Thirdly, the choice of a risk scale (priority) and appropriate interventions of risk mitigation, and finally the implementation of adaptation measures with the appropriate verification of the response effectiveness. The methodological approach has been conducted on two production plant, as object of the study. The activity has included a first phase of discussion with the company and information collection. At the end, a possible set of adaptation actions to face future climate change, with reference to climate events and risk levels previously analysed, has been identified. It is, however, underlined that the purpose of this preliminary study is not to provide a technical and economic feasibility analysis of the suggested interventions, but to illustrate possible adaptation approaches by selecting concrete proposals already implemented in other contexts.