Highlights from the extreme heat and agriculture report

This report explores the impact of extreme heat on agricultural producers and on crops, livestock, fisheries and aquaculture, and forests worldwide. Drawing on recent scientific evidence and country case studies, it highlights the independent and compound risks posed by extreme heat, underscores the urgency of mitigation, and presents pathways to strengthen resilience and sustainability across agricultural sectors. These highlights are drawn from the forthcoming joint FAO–WMO report.

Extreme heat is one of the central, interconnected drivers of the climate crisis in agriculture. It threatens global food security and the livelihoods of billions. More than an independent hazard, it acts as a powerful risk multiplier, amplifying drought and triggering wildfires, leading to compound negative outcomes for crops, livestock, fisheries and aquaculture, and forests. These impacts directly endanger the health and productivity of agricultural workers, who are on the frontlines of this crisis. Effective adaptation opportunities exist, particularly through the use of predictable heat forecasts to enable effective risk management. However, these actions must be supported by interdisciplinary research and integrated risk governance. Building resilience is imperative, but ultimately there are profound limits to adaptation.