In a geopolitical context which temporarily affects food security, climate change remains the most common driver of food insecurity. It will continue to disrupt the entire food supply chain in the long term – from production (upstream) to storage, processing and distribution (downstream). On the supply side, rising temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events harm key crops like wheat and grain maize, and challenge livestock and seafood. Southern Europe is particularly vulnerable, raising climate justice issues within the EU, while some northern regions could experience more favourable conditions for specific crops. Impacts on pollinators, pests, diseases and labour productivity further reduce yields. The resulting economic losses threaten producers' livelihoods and affordability for consumers, worsening food insecurity. Along the supply chain, climate change affects both the quality and quantity of food, raising concerns about sufficient access to nutritious food. Moreover, the EU's reliance on imports from trade partners, themselves vulnerable to climate change, especially for animal feed, raises concerns about the future of EU food sovereignty and dietary traditions key to food security. The EU's responses span several policy areas, including food production (agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture), climate adaptation, water, soil and biodiversity. However, challenges remain in coordination and implementation. The EU's strategic focus has recently shifted from building a sustainable food system towards a competitive and resilient agricultural sector. While ex-post measures, such as improved insurance schemes, are paramount, they should not overshadow ex-ante adaptation efforts that promote a sustainable food system, integrating new technologies, sustainable farming and evolving dietary trends. This briefing focuses solely on how climate change affects food security in the EU, while acknowledging global interdependencies. A 2023 EPRS paper explores the climate impact of the EU agrifood system.