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Europe’s food system and its primary sector, agriculture, provides us with the basic human need for food. It depends on healthy soils, clean water, biodiversity and a stable climate. Building a sustainable food system means producing enough food, while protecting the natural resources it relies on.
A food system includes everything involved in producing, processing, transporting, selling and consuming food, as well as the impacts these activities have on people, the economy and the environment. Together with fisheries and aquaculture, agriculture lies at the heart of the food system.
Modern agriculture has increased food production and become an important part of Europe’s economy. However, it also puts pressure on the environment. Agriculture is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions and one of the main pressures on water quality, biodiversity and soil health.
At the same time, a healthy food system depends on healthy ecosystems. Protecting nature, reducing environmental pressures and adapting to climate change help ensure safe food, clean drinking water, healthy diets and resilient farming.
Across Europe, more sustainable farming practices, innovation and nature-based solutions are helping reduce environmental impacts while improving resilience. Scaling up these approaches will help build a more sustainable and resilient food system for people and nature.
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Climate-resilient agriculture may benefit farmers’ incomes
Climate‑resilient agriculture is emerging as a strategic economic strategy to help Europe’s farms withstand increasing climate and economic pressures.
Based on 51 farm‑level case studies across Europe, our briefing shows that climate-resilient farming can reduce risks, improve profitability and strengthen farms over the long term. While the long-term benefits are clear, investment is needed to support farms during the transition.
Miłosz Lower, Well with Nature /EEA
Monika Borys on Unsplash
Diversifying Europe's protein supply
Europe's protein system relies strongly on livestock production and imported feed, creating environmental pressures within Europe and beyond its borders.
Our briefing explores how producing and consuming a wider range of proteins could strengthen food security, improve resilience, enhance competitiveness and reduce environmental impacts. Protein diversification is a long-term transition that complements ongoing efforts to make livestock production more sustainable.
Leon Ephraïm on Unsplash
How grazing helps protect Europe's nature
One in three of Europe's protected habitats depends on low-intensity grazing, yet extensive livestock farming declined by more than 70 % between 2010 and 2020.
Our briefing shows that only a small share of Europe's cattle, sheep and goats could be enough to protect all grazing-dependent habitats, highlighting the important role of extensive livestock farming in protecting nature.
Urgent action needed to reverse soil degradation in Europe
Soil degradation threatens our competitiveness, food security, agricultural productivity, biodiversity, and resilience to extreme weather events and climate change. Joint efforts at EU, national, and local level focus on restoring soil health.
Launched at the EU Soil Observatory Stakeholder Forum, the 2024 State of Soils in Europe report assesses the state of soil degradation across the EU and other countries in the European Economic Area, including Ukraine, Türkiye, and the Western Balkans. The report shows alarming status and trends, with soil degradation getting much worse in recent years, and highlights the need for immediate action to reverse this trend.
The State of Soils in Europe report is a collaboration between the Joint Research Centre and the European Environment Agency.
