Looking back, moving forward: NAT’s journey from 2025 into the new mandate
2025 was a year of renewal for the NAT section, marked by a new EESC mandate, fresh perspectives from many new members, and improved gender balance. Throughout the year NAT’s commitment to sustainability, resilience, and inclusive dialogue was evident in every initiative, including more than 60 events featuring NAT members as speakers and six major international missions. Looking ahead, the 2025–2028 Work Programme sets an ambitious agenda to tackle planetary crises and foster a just and sustainable future. NAT’s priorities will be anchored in evidence-based, pragmatic, and inclusive actions. 💬Read the editorial 

Infographic | NAT Year in Review 2025

In 2025 our Section’s reach expanded impressively, with over 60 events featuring NAT members as speakers, six major international missions, and a vibrant online presence on social media! Youth participation was always at the heart of our activities: 8 opinions were youth-tested and a new EESC youth delegate to COP, Samira Ben Ali, was appointed for two years.🎯Open the infographic

NAT work programme | 2025-2028

The NAT Work Programme 2025–2028 sets out an ambitious agenda to tackle the triple planetary crisis - climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution - while driving a just transition and rural-proofed policies. It prioritises sustainability, circularity, and food systems resilience, aiming to accelerate SDG implementation and foster inclusive dialogue across civil society. Discover how NAT plans to lead evidence-based action for prosperity and resilience. 📋️Work programme

COP30 ends with warnings of lost momentum as civil society demands bolder action
At its December plenary, the EESC held a debate on “Thirty COPs later and a decade after the Paris Agreement: assessing global climate action and opportunities for civil society”, with reactions to the outcome of COP30 at the center of discussion. The conference in Belém closed with a now-familiar warning: the world remains far from the ambition needed to keep global warming within 1.5°C. Read more 

EU must shift from ‘firefighting to foresight’, EESC warns in push to reinforce civil protection
In a recently adopted opinion, the EESC urges the European Commission to reinforce the Union Civil Protection Mechanism with a shift from emergency response to disaster prevention. As Europe confronts volatile climate, cyber threats, and geopolitical instability, the EESC emphasizes the predictability and interconnection of crises, advocating for preventive measures as Europe’s strategic defense. Despite recent reforms, the EU’s legislative focus remains reactive, underscoring the need for integrated civil protection strategies. Read more

EESC debate | State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI)
On 15 December 2025, the NAT section of the EESC hosted a public debate in the context of FAO's recent publication: The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2025. The report was presented by David Laborde (FAO) and was followed by a debate with NAT section members. The publication addresses high food price inflation for food security and nutrition and presents the latest data and analysis on hunger, food security and nutrition worldwide, including updated estimates on the cost and affordability of healthy diets. 🎬Video recording 

European Commission | EU Agri-Food Days | 15-17 December 2025
The 3rd edition of the EU Agri-Food Days is being held on 15-17 December 2025 in Brussels. The three-day event is an opportunity to network with EU agri-food stakeholders, farmers, civil society, academia and policymakers. Three EESC members will attend the event to delve into discussions about the latest policy trends, challenges and opportunities in the EU agri-food sector. 🎬Webstream available

European Commission | The bioeconomy - Innovative solutions for a sustainable future
This publication by the European Commission presents EU-funded bioeconomy innovations and shows the bioeconomy’s role in fostering circularity, adapting to and mitigating climate change, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and decreasing pollutants. The sustainable solutions delivered by bioeconomy can create jobs and income opportunities, particularly for farmers and foresters, and support a greener, more resilient future, showing that competitiveness, climate action, environmental protection and citizens’ wellbeing can go hand in hand. Read more 

Denmark EU presidency | One Health Conference
The One Health Conference (held in Copenhagen, 4-5 November 2025) was a flagship event under Denmark’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The conference focused on how to collectively find good practice solutions to advance collaboration and the implementation of the One Health approach, acknowledging the interdependence between human, animal, plant, and environmental health. The event aimed to build a shared understanding, align policies, and drive collective progress.🎬Video recording

FAO | Pathways towards a just transition in agrifood systems
Despite their critical role in climate action, agrifood systems have not been integrated into just transition policy debates under the UNFCCC and are rarely included in national just transition plans. This policy brief by FAO makes the case for placing agrifood systems transformation at the heart of just transition debates and policy making by proposing an evidence-based framework that is aligned with the change pathways of the Paris Agreement and that can guide national policy making. Read more

FAO | Global Forest Resources Assessment 2025
The FAO's Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA) originated in 1948 and has since become an extensive evaluation of global forest resources, considering their condition, management, and sustainability. The latest assessment, FRA 2025, explores trends and statuses of forest resources from 1990 to 2025, leveraging contributions from hundreds of experts globally. The results are accessible in varied formats, including a report, an interactive story highlighting key findings, and an online database. Read more 

SafeHabitus Policy Workshop | Promoting health and safety in agriculture
On 27 January 2026, SafeHabitus and the EU Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) will hold a webinar focused on enhancing occupational safety and health and working conditions in the EU agriculture sector. This event will feature debates and knowledge exchanges among stakeholders, including policymakers, agricultural organisations, and social partners. Discussions will cover existing ethical trade mechanisms, their integration into agriculture, and necessary policy changes. Read more 

United Nations | Call for Input – Transforming food systems to protect human rights and prevent climate harm
The Special Rapporteur calls for inputs to inform her 2025 thematic report to the 62nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council. The call seeks contributions on the most recent scientific advances in understanding the role of food systems (agriculture, forestry, fisheries, aquaculture, livestock) in climate change mitigation, adaptation, and loss and damage, including on tipping points. Inputs are also expected to shed light on a diverse body of evidence and alternative approaches that can better support an ecosystem-based and human rights-based approach. Submissions are due by 30 January 2026. Read more

European Commission | Evaluation support study on unfair trading practices in business-to-business relationships in the agricultural and food supply chain
The evaluation support study on the EU Directive 2019/633 reveals moderate effectiveness in preventing unfair trading practices in the agri-food supply chain: it highlights a positive shift towards fairer business cultures but it also identifies constraints such as insufficient proactive investigations and limited restitutionary measures. While harmonized protections enhance EU value, disparities remain in enforcement across Member States. Read more

European Commission | Study on regulatory and voluntary schemes for fair agricultural remuneration
This study investigates regulatory and private voluntary schemes designed to secure fair agricultural remuneration within the EU. It identifies key characteristics of national measures and voluntary schemes and their impact on farmer revenue, especially in the milk/dairy sector, while acknowledging challenges in enforcement, complexity, and overall effectiveness. Collaboration among supply chain actors, written contracts, and collective organization play crucial roles in improving farmers' financial stability and bargaining power, offering long-term security and mitigating risks in volatile markets. Read more

Have your say!

Citizens and businesses can share their views on new EU policies and existing laws.

All initatives here.

Today in the spotlight:

• Shape Europe’s future in a world affected by climate change  (expires 23/02/2026)
• Boosting agroecology and organic farming at the farm and landscape levels (expires 25/01/2026)

7 January 2026 | Partnership event

Future of European Green Deal

28 January 2026 | NAT section debate 

Gender equality and generation renewal

29 January 2026 | Partnership event

One Year of Textile Waste Separate Collection

29 January 2026 | Partnership event

EBCD on Fisheries (tbc)

Do you like this newsletter?

You can give us your feedback 

in just 1 minute!

Contact us

Subscription Preferences

Privacy Statement