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Meet our members | Florian MARIN: leave no one behind must be more than a slogan
"My ambition is that all three pillars of sustainable development are equally taken into account, that equality and equity are widely integrated into EU public policies and that sustainable development truly becomes an opportunity for all." says Florian MARIN, member of the NAT section of the EESC. We have to ensure more fairness for farmers along food chains, access to sustainable food at affordable and fair prices, a fair distribution of costs for climate transitions but also fair working conditions, including in circular economy systems. Read more
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#StandWithUkraine: NAT Section holds debate on the impacts of the war
At its 8 March's meeting, NAT members expressed deep concern for the Ukrainian war and highlighted the absolute need to ensure food supply and food safety to the Ukrainian population. Although the question of food security is not affecting immediately the EU, the large share of EU imports of cereals, animal feed, and fertilizers coming from Ukraine and Russia must reinforce the EU commitment to deliver on sustainable food systems while guaranteeing the affordability of quality food to everyone. Addressing the impacts of the war should not come to the detriment of climate action and sustainability, and efforts to implement the European Green Deal should continue. The EU must help to protect and restore environmental damages caused by the war and punish environmental crimes, as they will inevitably have long lasting consequences. Read the statement by the EESC president on turning solidarity with Ukraine into further action.
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Circular economy as a key contributor to the EU's strategic autonomy
The 5th annual European Circular Economy Stakeholder conference was held on 1-2 March 2022 at the European Commission and the EESC. The event brought together Europe's largest network of stakeholders in the Circular Economy and featured keynote speeches by Christa Schweng (President of the EESC), Frans Timmermans (European Commission Executive Vice-President in charge of the European Green Deal), and Barbara Pompili (French Minister for the Ecological Transition). This year's focus was the path to a new normal: "sustainable products for sustainable consumption." Read more
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Launch of the first EU organic awards
On Friday 18 February, the European Commission, together with the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), COPA-COGECA and IFOAM Organics Europe launched the first EU organic awards. The EESC is proud to be a co-organiser of these awards which will recognise excellence along the organic value chain and reward the best and most innovative actors in organic production in the EU. More specifically, the EESC will reward excellent, innovative, sustainable and inspiring SMEs, food retailers and restaurants. Read more
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The biggest threat to climate transition comes from waiting until it is too late
At its last plenary session, the EESC presented its opinion 'Fit for 55': delivering the EU's 2030 Climate Target on the way to climate neutrality where it put forward concrete proposals to help accelerate the energy transition so as to enable the EU to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030. The rapid shift towards a decarbonised economy will entail massive challenges, especially for those most reliant on carbon-intensive sectors and industries. But the transition to green industry will create opportunities for others. Read more
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EESC online event – Restoring sustainable carbon cycles
In the context of the ongoing EESC opinion on Restoring sustainable carbon cycles, the NAT section organised an online public hearing on 21 February 2022 to connect relevant experts and key stakeholders and explore the main opportunities and challenges of deploying carbon removal solutions to achieve carbon neutrality. A video recording, as well as the presentations shown by the speakers, are available on our website. Read more
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Council calls for greater emphasis on sustainability in international food standards
Farming ministers called for sustainability considerations to feature more prominently when it comes to setting food safety standards for international trade. In conclusions approved at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council of 21 February 2022, ministers recognised the crucial role of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) in facilitating the transition to sustainable food systems, and reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to maintaining high standards and fair practices. The EESC recently adopted its exploratory opinion on Food security and sustainable food systems, in response to the French Presidency's request.
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EU Platform on Food Losses and Food Waste
The first meeting in the new mandate of the EU Platform on Food Losses and Food Waste took place on 22 February. The President of the Thematic Study Group on Sustainable Food Systems, Andreas Thurner, is the EESC representative on the Platform. The agenda, presentations and a recording of the meeting are available on the Platform’s Meetings webpage.
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European Commission survey | Revision of the Food Information to Consumers (FIC) regulation
The Farm to Fork Strategy announces that the Commission will propose harmonised mandatory front-of-pack nutrition labelling to enable consumers to make informed and health-conscious food choices. As part of the consultation activities supporting the impact assessment of the revision of the Food Information to Consumers (FIC) regulation, the European Commission launched targeted surveys to consult Member States and stakeholders to collect views on technical aspects. The surveys are open until 18 March 2022. Read more
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European Commission survey | Environmental funding and financing opportunities under the 2021-2027 MFF and NextGeneration EU
The Directorate-General for Environment is compiling stakeholder views on the key challenges associated with accessing EU funding and support for environment and for environment-mainstreaming in projects. The main objective is to increase the understanding and the capacity of future and existing project promoters (private and public), national authorities and interested parties on how to access relevant EU funding and financing available under the MFF and the NextGeneration EU. More information and link to survey.
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RECENTLY ADOPTED OPINIONS
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At its 567th plenary session, held on 23 and 24 February 2022, the European Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinions in the field of Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment:
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OTHER LINKS AND NEWSLETTERS
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- European Environment Agency - news
- European Commission - DG CLIMA - news
- European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform - newsletter
- Eurpean Sustainable Development Network (ESDN) - newsletter
- European Environment and Sustainable Development Advisory Councils (EEAC) - newsletter
- FAO - newsletter
- ECOLISE - newsletter
- Via Campesina - press releases - newsletter
- Copa Cogeca - press releases
- The European Network for Rural Development - home - events
- Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP) - latest news
- Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI) - newsletter
- International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food) - updates
- Meta - the news channel of the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) - news
- European Parliament - Envi Committee - newsletter
- EESC - Liaison Group - newsletter
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