This OECD technical paper presents a comprehensive framework and set of indicators to measure how effectively agricultural sectors are adapting to increasingly variable and extreme weather conditions driven by climate change. The report introduces a four-dimension framework covering (i) agricultural exposure to extreme weather events, (ii) adoption of resilient agricultural practices that reduce vulnerability, (iii) impacts of extreme weather on agricultural production, and (iv) the enabling environment for agricultural adaptation, including policies, planning, innovation, and institutional support. Using 17 comparable, quantifiable indicators and publicly available data, the paper assesses progress made by OECD countries between 2000 and 2020. Results show modest reductions in exposure of cropland and livestock to climate hazards due to shifts in production locations, mixed progress in crop and livestock diversification, limited expansion of irrigation capacity, and rising agricultural water intensity. The paper highlights persistent data gaps and methodological challenges, but demonstrates how standardized indicators can support national and international efforts—such as the Global Goal on Adaptation under the Paris Agreement—to track adaptation progress, identify policy gaps, and strengthen resilience of agricultural systems.
Resource type:
Peer review