Emerging role of Boreal food production in the European context - securing European self-sufficiency and carbon neutrality by 2035

Abstract

The importance of the northern Boreal regions for the world’s sustainable food production and food security will increase in the future. Drought and erosion caused by climate change threaten large areas of cultivation globally. In the Boreal region, however, climate change is predicted to prolong the growing season and increase already excellent water resources. Furthermore, new important crop species can be successfully cultivated at 60° latitudes and above. Therefore, it has been estimated that Nordic countries like Finland can take a larger responsibility for European food security and self-sufficiency in the coming decades.