The policy brief provides a systems analysis of the needs and challenges identified by diverse Italian stakeholders involved in the primary sector, showing that more action is needed to reduce climate change effects The MACSUR SciPol knowledge forum is a pilot exercise initiated by the Joint Programming Initiative for Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Change (FACCE JPI) to bring science and policy actors together for the strategic design of climate change adaptation and mitigation solutions in the agri-food sector in Europe This policy brief contributes to this mission by providing evidence-based information to policy for achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 adapting to climate change and understanding synergies and trade-offs in achieving these targets.