Analysis of barn types and the adaptation of agricultural buildings to climate change

Climate change is creating new challenges for livestock farming, including increasing heat stress, changing environmental conditions in animal housing, higher disease risks and the need to reduce emissions while maintaining animal welfare and farm productivity.

This Community of Practice (CoP) brings together agricultural advisors, researchers and practitioners to exchange knowledge and practical experience on climate-smart adaptation of agricultural buildings and livestock housing systems. The CoP focuses on understanding how different barn designs and housing systems influence environmental conditions, ammonia emissions, animal welfare, animal health and the resilience of livestock production under changing climatic conditions.

Our objective is to strengthen the capacity of agricultural advisors by providing evidence-based knowledge, practical tools and examples of good practice that can be transferred to farmers. Through collaboration and peer learning, the CoP will identify innovative solutions to reduce heat stress, improve barn microclimate, enhance animal welfare and support sustainable, climate-resilient livestock farming.

By building a strong network of advisors and experts across Europe, the CoP aims to accelerate the adoption of climate-smart advisory services and farming practices, helping livestock farmers adapt to climate change while improving environmental performance and the long-term sustainability of their farms.