Heat Waves to Affect 20% of EU Cattle’s Productivity by 2050
X/@SostenCarni.
January 27, 2026 Hour: 11:22 am
The most affected regions will be Italy, Spain, Greece, Slovenia, Romania, and Bulgaria.
On Tuesday, the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) indicated that by 2050, heat waves resulting from climate change will affect up to 20% of cattle’s productivity, especially in Mediterranean countries such as Spain and Italy.
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The Institute estimates that between 6.2 and 13.7 million animals will suffer at least fifteen additional days of extreme heat. Ziga Malek, PhD in Natural Sciences and specialist in environmental modeling, warns that European livestock farming is essential for food but also a major emitter of greenhouse gases.
The impact will vary depending on the farming system: while between 4.5% and 12% of grazing cattle will suffer stress, in enclosed barns, the percentage will rise to between 18% and 35%.
The most affected regions will be Italy, Spain, Greece, Slovenia, Romania, and Bulgaria, where climatic conditions will intensify the risk of heat stress in cattle.
IIASA researchers noted that without early and progressive adaptation measures, it will be difficult to guarantee animal welfare and food production.
The Institute recommends actions such as planting shade trees, building shelters, and modernizing barns with ventilation and cooling. However, solutions are not the same for Mediterranean, Alpine, or Atlantic countries, as they depend on specific production systems and climatic conditions.
Malek emphasizes that there is no single, universal solution and that changes can be disruptive, forcing intensive producers to reduce herds or modify production models. She stated that acting soon will facilitate the transition to a more climate-resilient European livestock sector and ensure future sustainability.
In Aug. 2025, the Daily Mortality Monitoring System (MoMo) estimated that 2,635 human deaths were attributable to high temperatures, of which almost 1,149 were recorded during the heat wave that began on August 3 and ended on the 18th.
teleSUR: JP
Source: EFE
