120.000.000.000
reasons to act
Environmental stress is one of the biggest and fastest-growing threats to global crop yields
Climate change is shrinking arable land through drought and salinization, reducing global farming yields.
At the same time, thermal stress, such as intense heat and cold spells, is disrupting food production and further cutting potential harvests.
It is estimated that these conditions cause more than €120 billion in annual losses.
By 2050, up to 75% of the world's population might face the effect of water scarcity.
In Europe, drought-related economic losses were 63% higher in 2021 than the 20-year average.
Additionally, salinity affects over 1.4 billion hectares of farmland, resulting in around €25 billion in annual economic losses.
Research also shows that a 1 ºC increase in average temperature during the growing season could affect global agricultural output by over 3%, depending on the crop.
120 billion reasons to act
Agriculture lies at the heart of feeding the world, yet it remains one of the most resource-intensive activities, demanding land, water, and inputs that put pressure on ecosystems. It also amplifies climate change through greenhouse gas emissions from fertilizers, soil, and land use.
At the same time, farmers are on the front lines of its impact, experiencing irregular weather patterns (including extreme heat and cold events), prolonged droughts, rising soil salinity, and increased pest pressure.
The urgency of these challenges is best illustrated by the most damaging climate-driven stresses in agriculture: drought, salinity, and thermal. It is estimated that these conditions cause around €120 billion in annual losses, reducing global yields and threatening food security.
Salinity
Research shows that without sustainable practices, such as smart fertilization, biostimulants, and adaptive farming strategies, each 1 °C rise in global temperature could reduce crop yields by up to 6% in wheat, 7% in corn, 3% in rice, and 3% in soybean.
That’s roughly €37 billion in lost crop value for these four major crops alone.
Rising Temperatures
Research shows that without sustainable practices, such as smart fertilization, biostimulants, and adaptive farming strategies, each 1 °C rise in global temperature could reduce crop yields by up to 6% in wheat, 7% in corn, 3% in rice, and 3% in soybean.
That’s roughly €37 billion in lost crop value for these four major crops alone.
For farmers, the impact goes beyond lost yields
Most estimates don't account for the cost of input such as seeds, fertilizers, biostimulants, crop protection, machinery, and labor.
Lower yield means not only wasted inputs but also lower returns on investment, which can make farming economically unsustainable.
Today, growing crops requires striking the delicate balance between productivity and ecosystems preservation to create sustainable farming for the future.
