Are We Adapting to Climate Change? Evidence from the High-Quality Agri-Food Sector in the Veneto Region

Adaptation to climate change is an issue of growing concern for the agri-food sector, particularly for Geographic Indications (GIs). Agri-food GIs are deeply grounded on the concept of terroir, whose key aspects can be altered by climate change. In this context, understanding whether and how agents involved in agri-food GIs production are adapting to climate change is a crucial issue, together with pointing out the role played by either economic incentives or subsidies in the implementation of adaptation measures. To answer these questions, this research focuses on the case of the agri-food sector of the Veneto Region. First, a subsample of agri-food GIs is identified. Second, a mixed-methods approach is implemented, including 14 semi-structured in-depth interviews with key informants and two focus group discussions to analyze the effects related to climate change and the implementation of adaptation measures. Different levels of concern regarding the effects of climate change are observed. Similarly, the implementation of adaptation measures largely varies in relation to the type of GI (e.g., animal-based or crop-based), crop system (annual or permanent crops) and altitude of the production areas (e.g., mountains or plain). Additionally, several groups of barriers to adaptation are outlined, including behavioral, socioeconomic, policy- and governance-related, informative and structural ones. Several recommendations are suggested: de jure recognition of the current functions of some Consortia and Producers Organizations, scaling up adaptation strategies beyond the GI system through cooperation and institutionalized networks and developing knowledge provision systems based on participatory approaches.