Land, food and nature

Building land use and food systems that support people, communities and nature

How society uses land, especially for food production, has a major impact on planetary health. Decades of intensive factory farming have increased greenhouse gas emissions, harmed biodiversity, and contributed to social problems in rural areas – while failing to provide secure access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food. European farming is also driving global deforestation, as land in the Global South is cleared to meet demand for soy and other crops that are used to feed livestock. Meanwhile, unsustainable use of bioenergy for heating and power in Europe is contributing to deforestation, biodiversity loss, higher emissions, and the degradation of natural ecosystems, which prevents land from drawing down carbon from the atmosphere.

To address this, we are working to build climate and nature-friendly land use and food systems that prioritise the needs of farmers, rural communities, and consumers. We are also promoting solutions to ensure bioenergy is kept within sustainable limits and that nature-based solutions, such as restoring forests, do not displace real reductions in fossil fuel use.