Reducing the Vulnerability of Moldova's Agricultural Systems to Climate Change: Impact Assessment and Adaptation Options

Reducing the Vulnerability of Moldova’s Agricultural Systems to Climate Change

A WORLD BANK STUDY

Reducing the Vulnerability of Moldova’s Agricultural Systems to Climate Change

Impact Assessment and Adaptation Options

William R. Sutton, Jitendra P. Srivastava, James E. Neumann, Ana Iglesias, and Brent B. Boehlert

© 2013 International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank

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Attribution—Please cite the work as follows: Sutton, William R., Jitendra P. Srivastava, James E. Neumann, Ana Iglesias, and Brent B. Boehlert. 2013. Reducing the Vulnerability of Moldova’s Agricultural Systems to Climate Change: Impact Assessment and Adaptation Options. World Bank Study. Washington, DC: World Bank. doi:10.1596/978-1-4648-0045-0. License: Creative Commons Attribution CC BY 3.0

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ISBN (paper): 978-1-4648-0045-0

ISBN (electronic): 978-1-4648-0046-7

DOI: 10.1596/978-1-4648-0045-0

Cover photo: © William R. Sutton / World Bank

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Reducing the vulnerability of Moldova’s agricultural systems to climate change : impact assessment and adaptation options / William R. Sutton ... [et al.]. p. cm. — (World Bank studies)

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN 978-1-4648-0045-0 (alk. paper) — ISBN 978-1-4648-0046-7

1. Crops and climate—Moldova. 2. Climatic changes—Risk assessment—Moldova. 3. Agriculture—Environmental aspects—Moldova. 4. Agriculture and state—Moldova. I. Sutton, William R., 1967- II. World Bank. III. Series: World Bank studies.

S600.64.M629R43 2013

632’.109476—dc23                       2013022137

Contents

Preface

Changes in climate and their impact on agricultural systems and rural economies are already evident throughout Europe and Central Asia (ECA). Adaptation measures now in use in Moldova, largely piecemeal efforts, will be insufficient to prevent impacts on agricultural production over the coming decades. There is growing interest at country and development partner levels to have a better understanding of the exposure, sensitivities, and impacts of climate change at farm level, and to develop and prioritize adaptation measures to mitigate the adverse consequences.

Beginning in 2009 the World Bank embarked on the Regional Program on Reducing Vulnerability to Climate Change in ECA Agricultural Systems for selected ECA client countries to enhance the ability of these countries to mainstream climate change adaptation into agricultural policies, programs, and investments. The multi-stage program has included activities to raise awareness of the threat, analyze potential impacts and adaptation responses, and build capacity among client country stakeholders and ECA Bank staff with respect to climate change and the agricultural sector. This report is the culmination of efforts by the Moldovan institutions and researchers, the World Bank, and a team of international experts headed by the consulting firm Industrial Economics, Inc. (IEc) to jointly undertake an analytical study, Reducing the Vulnerability of Moldova’s Agricultural Systems to Climate Change.

The approach of this volume is predicated on strong country ownership and participation, and is defined by its emphasis on win-win or no regrets solutions to the multiple challenges posed by climate change for the farmers of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The solutions are measures that increase resilience to future climate change, boost current productivity despite the greater climate variability already occurring, and limit greenhouse gas emissions—also known as climate-smart agriculture.

Specifically, this report