EIT Food

There is a wealth of literature outlining the future challenges facing agriculture and food production, particularly in light of climate change, resource scarcity, technological advancements, infrastructural issues, and evolving dietary habits. ????? Yet, amidst these discussions, we must also consider who will be at the forefront of tackling these challenges in the medium to long term. The stark reality is that only 5.6% of EU farmers are under 35 years old, raising concerns about the future of farming as fewer young people take up the profession. ?????????? Regenerative agriculture offers one of the greatest opportunities to help Europe address human and climate health, along with the financial well-being of farmers. Join us in building a sustainable future for farming in Europe ???? https://lnkd.in/ebaUF9ZJ #ImprovingFoodTogether #FutureOfFood #FoodSystems #RegenerativeAgriculture

In all, COP29 served up a bittersweet menu this year. ??? While the final agreement included only a token reference to food and agriculture – a worrying oversight with serious risks for food security in the face of climate change – there are reasons to be hopeful. If we look at the bigger picture, progress is undeniable: five years ago, food and agriculture were absent from the climate agenda. Today, there is growing recognition of their critical role in meeting both climate and SDG goals and there are still reasons to be hopeful: ? Up to 25 countries included food waste and loss in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). ?? ? The Sharm el-Sheikh Joint Work (SSJW) program reached consensus on implementing climate action in agriculture and food security. ?? ? Carbon market playbooks (Article 6/6.2 & 6.4) finalised with clear benefits for the agriculture, forest, and land-use sectors. ?? ? Denmark became the first country to tax agricultural emissions, and 27+ countries signed agreements advocating for GHG-emission pricing in agrifood systems. ?? ? 133 initiatives and over 1,000 events highlighted leadership on food systems transformation. ?? These are the result of sustained, collective action by the food community, and we were proud to coordinate the Action On Food Hub in Baku, alongside ProVeg International and Future Economy Forum, to support this. The Action on Food hub was the home of the food community of #COP29, providing space for policy engagement, the exchange of ideas and dialogues, ensuring food systems had a strong, coordinated voice at the climate negotiations. There is much more to do. We must stay optimistic and persistent, building partnerships, advocating for systemic change, scaling up solutions, and mobilising significant finance to transform food systems – focusing especially on smallholder farmers, forest dwellers, fishers, pastoralists, and Indigenous Peoples. This funding will drive climate resilience, protect biodiversity, safeguard livelihoods, uphold food sovereignty, and ensure nutritious food for all. ???? Momentum from COP29 must now translate into actionable commitments by 2025, as countries are updating their NDCs. Brazil’s leadership at #COP30 presents a unique opportunity to advance equitable, sustainable, and resilient food systems, but there is a lot to do on the ‘road to #Belém’. With the #ActionOnFood Hub we are ready to meet this challenge and raise ambition in the year ahead??? Watch. This. Space. https://lnkd.in/dV3a49CN What do you think is the most critical action needed to transform food systems? ?? #ImprovingFoodTogether #FoodSystemsTransformation #RegenerativeFoodSystems

We’ve all heard the stats: agriculture contributes nearly a third of global greenhouse gas emissions. Yet, food systems have the power to be a solution. With over 10 billion mouths to feed by 2030, we need resilient, sustainable, and equitable food systems — and we need them now. ???? This urgency takes centre stage on #COP29 Food, Agriculture, and Water Day, where global leaders are focusing on transforming food systems to better serve people and the planet. The call for inclusive, collaborative #ActionOnFood has never been louder, as every delay in adopting sustainable practices adds to the toll on our future. ??? At the Action On Food Hub, which we at EIT Food are proud to coordinate alongside ProVeg International and Future Economy Forum, is working in partnership with the High-Level Climate Champions, on clear food systems asks which aim to amplify and drive action. These are based on the Food Systems Call to Action launched last year by the Climate Champions, as well as the work we have done over the past three years as a community, and therefore represent a significant alignment of a broad and diverse set of actors. Not just to build stronger connections between food systems, nature, and the climate, but to create conditions that enable food systems transformation to take place and the planet to flourish. Our food systems asks are: ?? Scale Finance, ?? Strengthen Global Targets, ?? Support farmers and indigenous peoples, ?? and Spotlight food in the Rio Conventions These asks unite food systems actors globally, presenting clear, actionable demands to governments, businesses, financial institutions, and policymakers. As Lucy Wallace, our Director of Global Relationships, reminds us, uniting food systems within the climate community is key to driving meaningful change. Together, we’re raising one voice, pushing for action that can deliver the crucial transformation to align food systems with climate goals. ?? Together we are setting out a shared vision for food systems transformation, catalysing commitments across food and agriculture while pledging concrete action — from reducing greenhouse gas emissions and scaling regenerative agriculture to funding sustainable food initiatives. ?? We need to act now.? https://bit.ly/3YUUW3w #GoodFoodForAll #ImprovingFoodTogether

Food systems are at the heart of the world’s biggest challenges – but they’re also at the centre of the solution. ?? Our #FoodSystems shape everything: from what we eat to how we produce, distribute, and consume food. They have the power to create healthier people, a healthier planet, and stronger economies. Yet, today’s systems are leading us down a dangerous path, accounting for nearly a third of human-made greenhouse gas emissions. ? So, what’s the solution? ?? An additional €332 billion per year is needed to transform our food systems. This means fundamentally rethinking how food is financed and ensuring investments go towards sustainable and inclusive solutions. ???? How do you think we can better align finance and food systems to benefit both people and planet? ?? Dive into our research to learn more about building a #NetZero food system and the actions we recommend: https://lnkd.in/dvU_6aBE #ImprovingFoodTogether #FutureOfFood

There’s an urgent call for innovation in sustainability, health, and resilience within the #agrifood sector. ?? And leading the charge are women entrepreneurs, who bring unique insights to reshape our industry toward sustainable growth and innovation. ?? We’re proud to support these brilliant female innovators and investors from our community. ? At #INNOVEIT, on 19 November in Helsinki, we’re hosting a matchmaking table, sharing insights on our #EWA programme that empowers women, and featuring Amparo de San José Riestra as she presents findings from our study on Women in Deep-Tech. ?? Plus, we’ll be at Slush (meet our #EITCommunity team at booth 6C5) with our #Supernovas programme and our "Futures of Food through Biotechnology and Bioprocessing" event, featuring pitches from female-led startups in the EIT Food Accelerator Network, including: ?? Ironic Biotech, founded by Nélida Leiva Eriksson ?? New Wave Biotech, co-founded by Zoe Yu Tung Law ?? Senara GmbH, co-founded by Svenja Dannewitz Prosseda ?? Melt&Marble, co-founded by Anastasia Krivoruchko Will you join us? ?? EIT Food Women in Entrepreneurship #WomenInAgriFood #WomenInTech #WomenInSTEAM #ImprovingFoodTogether #FutureOfFood

What’s on the table for food systems at #COP29? ????? After COP28 saw major progress, with countries pledging to include food systems in their National Adaptation Plans, the momentum and need for action are even higher now. This year at COP29, we’re excited to be coming together as a joint food systems community at Action On Food hub calling for key actions for sustainable food systems during these crucial negotiations. The Action on Food hub will showcase food systems as key solutions to the climate crisis and support the development of dialogue, collaboration, partnerships, and policies that promote the transition to healthier, sustainable, just, and resilient #FoodSystems for all. ???? An incredible community of over 300 food systems actors, including farmers, Indigenous Peoples, businesses, financial institutions and civil society is joining with clear policy asks to safeguard our food systems and build #ClimateResilience by 2030.??? We’ll be in the Blue Zone throughout COP29. Explore the full programme here: https://lnkd.in/dTaFktTc We can’t wait another year until COP30. ? Join us to take #ActionOnFood

Nutritious, diverse food choices are essential for both people and the planet. But the reality is that healthy food options aren’t accessible to everyone. ?? Affordability, awareness, and profitability challenges make it tough for consumers and the industry alike. We believe in the power of community to drive change. Together, we aim to increase the adoption of balanced, sustainable, and healthy diets by: ?? Raising awareness about the critical link between nutrition and both human and planetary health ?? Supporting innovative solutions that make healthy and sustainable food affordable for all ?? Advocating for policy interventions that prioritise soil health, nutrition, and food education Let’s work together to create a future where healthy food is accessible to everyone, and our planet thrives as a result. ?? https://lnkd.in/dubfS59G #ImprovingFoodTogether #FutureOfFood #SustainableDiets #FoodSystems #SoilHealth #FoodEducation

After years of medical training and hospital experience, Dr. Federica Amati had a realisation that shook her: poor diet is now the biggest risk factor for our health – it’s even overtaken smoking! ?? Whether it’s about boosting fertility, supporting brain health in adolescents, or extending our health span into later life, every meal is an investment to treat and even prevent illness. ????? In this exciting kickoff to series 6 of the #EITFoodFight ?? podcast, host Matt Eastland sits down with renowned nutritionist, public health advocate, and author Dr Federica Amati, who shares her invaluable insights into how nutrition is a powerful tool for enhancing our health across all stages of life. ???? Delve into the science behind eating for lifelong health and why food choices matter more now than ever ???? https://lnkd.in/d5W-8TUA #ImprovingFoodTogether #FutureOfFood #SustainableFood

14 new #agrifood scaleups are joining our #RisingFoodStars network. ?? Welcome aboard! These innovators become part of our network of scaleups, all focused on tackling?key challenges in #SustainableAgriculture and #FoodProduction. ?? The successful startups were chosen for their potential to scale solutions that address the long-term sustainability of food and agriculture in Europe, faced with global challenges such as the need to secure food self-sufficiency and reduce net emissions by 90% by 2040. ?? The personalised approach of the EIT Food RisingFoodStars programme is key to initiating transformative change within #FoodSystems, unlocking commercial opportunities, and facilitating rapid, sustainable growth for startups. Since 2018, our alumni have raised over $700 million! Recently, Infinite Roots? secured $58M to scale its mycelium fermentation platform, and Notpla raised over €25M to scale sustainable packaging solutions. ?? Our newest cohort includes SeedForward GmbH, Notpla, FICOSTERRA, Carbone Farmers, Meala, MyEasyFarm, Neggst, Matr, evja, Those Vegan Cowboys , AgroLeague, NoPalm Ingredients, Bon Vivant, and Cultivated Biosciences. ?? Learn more: https://lnkd.in/d2jWsPVj #ImprovingFoodTogether #FutureOfFood #SustainableFood

As we hit the halfway mark in this crucial decade for the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, #entrepreneurship is key to creating a sustainable future for our food system. ?? In 2021, European AgriFoodTech startups raised an impressive €9.8 billion (according to DigitalFoodLab). But in the past two years, funding has dropped by over 50%, posing big challenges for food system innovation and mission-driven entrepreneurs. ?? With financial uncertainty ahead, it's more important than ever to support Europe’s boldest entrepreneurs in bringing their innovations to life. ?? A promising result from an independent impact assessment of our three entrepreneurship programmes – EIT Food Seedbed Incubator, EIT Food Accelerator Network, and EIT Food RisingFoodStars – shows that for every €1 invested on 549 promising startups and scaleups since 2018, a wider economic benefit of €6 can be expected over 10 years, growing to €13 over 15 years. ?? This also provided key insights on how to maximise the impact of entrepreneurship in the #FoodSystem. Learn more ?? https://lnkd.in/ddihVP_2 #ImprovingFoodTogether #FutureOfFood