Supporting Europe’s transition beyond fossil fuels

The fossil fuel phase-out debate in Europe has shifted from whether to how to transition fairly and sustainably. Our recent partnership event brought these questions into sharp focus highlighting fragile supply-side commitments, geopolitical pressures, and the need for stronger EU coordination. With geopolitical tensions and climate urgency, Europe must accelerate renewable investments and strategic autonomy. Civil society’s role in driving innovative, just solutions remains critical.💬Read the editorial 

Meet our members | Joe Healy: why the CAP needs a bold reset - and how farmers can lead the way
In this interview, NAT member Joe Healy explains why the EESC rejected the European Commission’s CAP 2028-2034 proposals, calling for a fairer budget, stronger two-pillar structure, and a truly common policy. He also shares insights from his work on the CAP evaluation, generational renewal, and sustainable food systems, urging greater farmer involvement in shaping EU agriculture’s future.📄Read more

Meet the new EESC Youth Delegate to COP!
In this interview, Alex Eriksson, the new EESC Youth Delegate to COP, emphasises reciprocity, inclusivity, and accountability in his role. With over five years’ experience in UNFCCC and CBD processes, he aims to amplify youth voices - particularly from marginalised communities - while fostering collaboration in climate action. Alex measures success by honouring the trust placed in him and ensuring his work reflects passion, integrity, and tangible impact for people and nature.📄Read more

EESC news | EU must strengthen circular economy transition with biodegradable materials

Nature-based biodegradable materials could become a cornerstone of Europe’s circular economy, helping cut pollution, reduce reliance on fossil resources and revitalize rural industries. In its recently adopted own-initiative opinion, the EESC highlights the need for aligned regulations to support innovation, rural industries, and sustainable resource use. Clear frameworks could position Europe as a global leader in sustainability while balancing food security and economic growth. 📄Read more🎬Watch public debate🎬Watch rapporteur's short video

EESC news | Europe is running out of time to take water seriously
For decades, water policy has sat quietly in the background of European governance - technical, fragmented, often overlooked - but today, water resilience is rapidly emerging as one of the most strategic challenges facing the continent, shaped by the accelerating pressures of climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution and unsustainable consumption. In a recent opinion adopted by the EESC on water and climate resilience requested by the Cyprus Presidency, the urgency of addressing these challenges with a coherent policy framework is made unmistakably clear.📄Read more

EESC event | Social farming as a tool for innovation in agriculture
On 28 April 2026, the EESC held a public debate with the aim to explore the social and economic impacts of social farming, identify key barriers to its development, and discuss how to better integrate it into EU rural, social and innovation policies. With representatives from academia, the European institutions, civil society organisations and EESC members, the event covered the EU legislative context, examples of concrete projects and stakeholders' concrete recommendations on the topic. 🎬Video recording

EESC partnership event | How should the next generation of EU Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements (SFPA) look like?
On 8 April, the EESC co-organised a conference to explore how to modernise bilateral deals granting EU fleets access to third countries’ waters in exchange for sustainability support and socio-economic benefits. Key goals included strengthening governance, ensuring mutual benefits and aligning SFPAs with EU priorities like food security and ocean diplomacy. The event aimed to shape the EU’s future External Fisheries Strategy with practical, inclusive multistakeholder recommendations.🎬Video recording📄Meeting recommendations

EESC partnership event | Civil Society as a Driving Force in the Global Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Response
On 31 March 2026, the EESC co-organised an event with the European Public Health Alliance and the World Health Organisation (WHO) Civil Society Task Force on AMR, inviting EU institutions and experts to address antimicrobial resistance as a systemic challenge requiring governance, equity, and One Health solutions. The event emphasised that, while political momentum is growing, gaps in implementation persist. The WHO Civil Society Task Force on AMR was highlighted for its role in co-design, accountability, and equity while EU discussions stressed the need for better policy coordination and civil society inclusion, underscoring its vital role in bridging policy and action.📄Outcome document 🎬Video recording

EESC event | Towards a sustainable EU Livestock Strategy 
On 30 March 2026, the EESC held a public debate with the aim to contribute to the European Commission’s upcoming EU Livestock Strategy. The debate brought together representatives from FAO, the European institutions, civil society organisations (including youth organisations) and EESC members of the Permanent Group on Sustainable Food Systems, to discuss how a future EU livestock strategy can best support a One Health approach, healthy diets, climate, environmental and biodiversity objectives, generational renewal and rural development.🎬Video recording 

EESC partnership event | European leadership on fossil fuel phase out: Lessons learned and future directions
On 25 February 2026, the University of Sussex and the EESC hosted an event on EU leadership in phasing out fossil fuels, reviewing lessons and future strategies and examining how EU policies could accelerate global action. The event brought together EU institutions, businesses, trade unions, researchers, and civil society for a public debate, followed by a closed workshop on strengthening supply-side policies to end fossil fuel reliance.🎬Video recording and outcome document

European Commission/EIB Group | Transitioning to a circular economy: Closing the investment gap in Europe
According to the results of a joint research project by the European Investment Bank Group and the European Commission the EU faces an €82 billion annual circular economy investment gap (2025–2040). Gaps are most significant in circular design and end of life infrastructure, and in key sectors such as construction, batteries and vehicles, and textiles. The report also outlines how EU regulation and advisory support could boost investments and speed up Europe’s circular transition.📄Read more

European Commission | Best practices for agri-environmental and climate actions within the CAP post-2027
Drawing on lessons from the CAP programming period 2023–2027, this report outlines best practices for EU Member States to design agri-environmental and climate actions under the 2028–2034 CAP and National/Regional Partnership Plans. It highlights challenges, successes, and innovative approaches -such as incentive-based payments, organic farming, agroecology, and regenerative practices - to help farmers transition to resilient, climate-smart systems. The report complements EU guidance, ensuring alignment with environmental, climate, and animal welfare goals. 📄Read more

Hungarian Rural Pact initiated by civil society organisations

On 17 April 2026, 21 Hungarian civil society organisations launched the Hungarian Rural Pact, urging collaboration between institutional, academic, and civil sectors to create a long-term rural and agricultural strategy. Inspired by the EU Rural Pact, the initiative aims to foster consensus through a joint declaration, with next steps including government engagement. The Rural Pact Support Office will assist the process in 2026, partnering with the Rural Workshop Foundation.📄Read more

FAO | Severe global food security risks from disruption to Strait of Hormuz trade corridor
The FAO’s Chief Economist, Máximo Torero, warns that disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz - where tanker traffic has plunged 90% - are causing a severe global commodity shock, threatening food security and agricultural production. With fertiliser prices surging and shipping costs soaring, farmers face higher input expenses, risking lower crop yields. The FAO urges to diversify fertilizer import sources, establish alternative trade routes, and invest in sustainable input-efficient agriculture to mitigate risks. 📄 Read more

FAO | Highlights of science and innovation in FAO’s work

The FAO’s Science and Innovation Highlights report showcases how its 2022–31 Strategy drives progress across agrifood systems. Examples span boosting productivity, cutting food waste, digital agriculture, One Health, climate adaptation, and data-sharing platforms. The strategy embraces all scientific disciplines and innovations - technological, social, and institutional - to transform food systems for sustainability, resilience, and equity, aligning with FAO’s broader goals.📄Read more 

Global Bioeconomy Summit | 20-21 October | Calls for workshops and satellite events
The Global Bioeconomy Summit 2026, hosted in Dublin, will convene leaders from policy, science, industry, and civil society to explore how bio-based solutions can address pressing global crises ranging from food and energy security to health, biodiversity loss, and climate resilience while ensuring that their deployment is inclusive, equitable, and socially accepted. The Summit aims for inclusive, interactive participation to drive transformative bioeconomy action. Key deadlines for submitting proposals: workshop, 8 May; satellite events, 11 May.📄Read more

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11 May 2026 | Public hearing

28 May 2026 | EU circular talk
From trade to transformation: EU–Australia circular economy in action

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