Europe is currently facing increasingly severe climate shocks, including heat waves, droughts and floods. These weather extremes have serious consequences for food production and expose the fragility of of the current food system. The annual average losses caused by these events already amount to €28.3 billion and are expected to increase to €40 billion by mid-century. Although farmers are the ones most affected by these impacts, science clearly shows that Intensive agriculture contributes significantly to climate change, as well as to biodiversity loss, land degradation, and water and air pollution. Furthermore, the war in Ukraine has exposed the vulnerability of the food system to external events and its dependence on fossil fuels and fertilizers, which exacerbates the cost of living crisis.

There is a clear consensus among scientists, the public and investors that transforming food systems is key to ensuring long-term food security, environmental sustainability and social justice. Yet the current Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has failed to achieve these goals. It has not sufficiently supported farmers in crises, has not ensured a fair standard of living for all and has not addressed environmental degradation. The 2023-2027 CAP continues to finance harmful subsidies that mainly benefit large farms and support unsustainable practices, while support for environmentally friendly farming remains limited.

In response to these failures and urgent environmental and social crises they propose BirdLife Europe, EEB, Greenpeace and WWF are calling for the current CAP to be replaced by a new Common Agricultural, Food, and Land Stewardship Policy. This new policy should focus on a just transition and a more efficient performance-based framework.

Eight key objectives are proposed as the basis for the future of EU agricultural policy, many of which are directly related to tackling climate change and building resilience:

• Switching to a policy based on actual performance: The new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028-2034 should clearly link the disbursement of the EU budget to the achievement of clear, measurable EU policy objectives, including environmental and climate goals. Funds would be disbursed based on the fulfilment of pre-defined conditions and targets, with the possibility of suspension or reduction in case of non-compliance. Proposed performance indicators at Member State level include, for example, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from agri-food systems and related land use.
• Increasing funding for the protection and restoration of nature and functioning ecosystems: Given the increasing degradation of nature, increased funding is essential. It is proposed to allocate at least €35 billion per year under the MFF and national budgets for measures to protect, maintain and restore nature. Well-preserved nature and the environment are essential for ensuring the long-term ability to produce food and for resilience to climate shocks.
• Ending harmful subsidies: It is estimated that 60% CAP, representing €32 billion per year, is spent on measures supporting large-scale unsustainable agriculture that damages nature and undermines the resilience of the sector. A common, science-based list of environmentally harmful activities that will not be financed from the EU budget should be established. This includes, for example, support for investments in intensive livestock production in polluted areas (if they do not lead to a significant reduction in nitrogen and methane emissions), investments in irrigation systems in areas with insufficient water status, or the conversion of wetlands or pastures to agricultural land.
• Strategic investments in systemic change: All investments under the new policy should support the transition to sustainable agriculture based on the principles of agroecology. These investments should strengthen farmers' resilience to economic and environmental shocks, mitigate the risks associated with climate change and contribute to the stability of their livelihoods. Examples include investments in agroecological infrastructure, the use of solar and wind energy (without land use change) and the efficient, circular use of natural resources.
• Supporting a just transition in the livestock sector: The sector contributes significantly to climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Structural transformation is necessary, particularly to reduce animal numbers in areas with unsustainably high densities. Policy should support and accompany farmers in the transition to more extensive grazing-based livestock systems.
• Supporting diversification for farmer resilience and sustainable food systems: Increasing genetic and crop diversity at the field and landscape level can significantly contribute to mitigating the impacts of extreme weather events. Agroecology, including organic farming and diversification, has been proven to increase the agronomic and economic resilience of farms to crises.

Robust governance is also essential to ensure the effectiveness of the policy and the achievement of environmental objectives, including climate goals. The EU Commission should have strong control over the funds and the ability to block funding for harmful or inefficient schemes. National plans should not be approved if Member States do not demonstrate efforts to address the environmental problems caused by agriculture.

Remaining with the current CAP model is illegitimate and would worsen the crises in the agricultural sector. The costs of maintaining the status quo are many times higher than the costs of the necessary change. It's high time for a change.. Spring

Glossary of key terms

• Agroecology: A system of agriculture that incorporates ecological and social principles into agricultural practices, with the aim of creating sustainable and resilient systems.
• Land management: A broad term that refers to decision-making and practices regarding land use and management, taking into account environmental, social and economic factors.
• Common Agricultural Policy (CAP): The European Union's agricultural policy, which provides subsidies and other support to farmers.
• Common policy for agriculture, food and land management: A proposed replacement for the CAP that focuses on just transition, efficiency, social equity, environmental sustainability and land management.
• Link funding to performance: A system in which funds are disbursed based on the achievement of pre-determined goals and indicators.
• Harmful subsidies: Financial support that adversely affects the environment, biodiversity or social equality in agriculture.
• Just transformation: A process to ensure that the transition to more sustainable systems is fair and inclusive for all stakeholders, including providing support for those most affected by the change.
• Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF): The long-term budget of the European Union, which sets maximum annual spending ceilings for various policies.
• Climate shocks: Sudden and severe changes in climatic conditions, such as heat waves, droughts and floods, which have a significant impact on the environment and human activities.
• Biodiversity: The diversity of life in all its forms, at all levels of organization, from genes to species and ecosystems to countries.
• Intensive agriculture: An agricultural system characterized by high levels of inputs (e.g., fertilizers, pesticides) and a focus on maximizing production.
• Agroecological infrastructure: Elements in the agricultural landscape that support ecological processes and services, such as hedgerows, groups of trees, ponds and areas favorable to pollinators.
• Extensive livestock farming: A livestock farming system that involves lower animal loads per hectare and often relies on pasture and natural vegetation.
• Diversification (in agriculture): Increasing the range of crops, livestock or agricultural activities on a farm to increase resilience and reduce dependence on a single source of income.