Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP)

UK FRC: What’s next for deforestation regulation in the UK? Our Nora Hiller will speak at the Institute for European Environmental Policy UK (IEEP UK) webinar on the upcoming UK Forest Risk Commodities (#FRC) legislation, and potential for alignment with the EU Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (#EUDR).    This webinar will be chaired by IEEP UK Chair Malini Mehra, and feature: Pippa Heylings MP, the Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Energy Security and Net Zero, and co-chair of the APPG on Global Deforestation; Nicola Brennan (WWF-UK); Joe James (Sainsbury’s); and Edward Worsdell (IEEP UK).   🗓️ Tuesday, 28 October 2025, 10.00-11.30 UK time   📗 More on deforestation-free supply chains regulation in the EU https://lnkd.in/e6F9fP-R https://lnkd.in/efXafw52

At the World Trade Organization Public Forum, Brazil—set to assume the COP30 Brazil presidency—proposed the establishment of an Integrated Forum on Climate Change and Trade (IFCCT).   Details of a formal proposal will be unveiled at COP30, but if taken seriously by the international community, it can lead to a comprehensive climate framework capable of addressing trade-related environmental concerns.   The current #ParisAgreement seeks constructive solutions based on voluntary emissions reductions, which may lead to uneven climate commitments and regulations among nations. It opened space for EU measures such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) to address emissions through trade, creating frictions with the WTO regime.   To project #CBAM into a positive international dialogue on carbon mitigation, this briefing proposes four priorities for multilateral action that could anchor an Integrated Forum on Climate Change and Trade, in line with ideas advanced by #Brazil:   1️⃣ A more integrated climate-trade approach should recognise and credit diverse mitigation efforts.   2️⃣ From a development perspective—and consistently with #UNFCCC flexibility and leadership—differentiated price treatment is both reasonable and fair.   3️⃣ In an integrated climate–trade regime, eventual revenues from carbon border measures should be allocated to a collective and transparent facility under UNFCCC‑consistent oversight.   4️⃣ An integrated climate‑trade regime should discuss the recognition of different production processes with environmental advantages, such as low‑carbon electricity by treating them more favourably.   The EU holds a key position in the climate agenda and should be central to an integrated approach that clarifies the relationship between the climate regime and trade.   ✍ Written by Pierre Leturcq and Bruno Capuzzi   Read the full report ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/eMHTsNBf

Our #agrifood systems are broken. #WorldFoodDay is yet another reminder of what we can do to fix this 🌾 We need less waste 🚯 and more diversity🌱 to do so, we need to join forces and build pragmatic approaches and tangible solutions. We need to look holistically at #FoodSystems – addressing everything from #production to #consumption, including #FoodWaste reduction. Take a look at our recommendations on how to increase the sustainability of our food systems ⤵️ 👨🌾 Production side – diversify protein sources to reduce the environmental and climate impact of food systems and increase their resilience: ⬩ Support diversified value chains whilst ensuring fair pricing for farmers ⬩ De-risk farmers’ efforts to diversify into plant-based opportunities ⬩ Create an EU plant-based innovation cluster uniting stakeholders across the value chain 🍽️ Consumption side – shift to more plant-based diets to tackle health, environmental and economic challenges through: ⬩ Encouraging dietary shift through policy action ⬩ Prioritising sustainability and health in public food procurement  ⬩ Providing clear science-based sustainability labels ♻️ Increase circularity and reduce food waste by: ⬩ Exploring new technologies for food preservation  ⬩ Enhancing data analytics for better demand forecasting ⬩ Promoting sustainable consumption practices 📑 Read more ⤵️ ⬩ Policy actions for sustainable and healthy EU diets: https://lnkd.in/e8343RSx ⬩ Protein diversification and opportunities for farmers: https://lnkd.in/eTR_KaX6 ⬩ Addressing food waste in the retail sector: https://lnkd.in/eVjQFhkD 🙋♀️ Find out more about how IEEP's work contributes to the agenda by getting in touch with Elisabet Nadeu at [email protected] FAO

Big success for the #Think2030 Dialogue in Copenhagen with over 300 participants 🎉 We were honoured to welcome Dan Jørgensen, EU Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Krzysztof (Chris) Bolesta, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Climate and Environment of Republic of Poland (Ministerstwo Klimatu i Środowiska), and Lars Aagaard, The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities of Denmark, who all provided insightful keynotes on EU climate and energy leadership, security and competitiveness. Continuing Think2030’s mission to support evidence-based policymaking, four breakout sessions on #Science4Policy brought together experts from diverse backgrounds to discuss climate and energy policies, climate mitigation in agriculture, industrial policy and how to mobilise private finance for the green transition. Thanks to our speakers for bringing your insightful contributions to this #Think2030 Dialogue: Peter Møllgaard, Christian Peter Ibsen, Lykke Friis, Anders Lund , Ottmar Edenhofer, Anais Berthier, Eva Jensen, Tommy Ahlers, Jurei Yada, Kim Jorgensen, Eulalia Rubio Barcelo, Lars Krogsgaard, Ditte Brasso Sørensen, Neil Makaroff, Tine Nielsen Hertz, Fleming Voetmann, Andreas Rasche, Ben Lennon, Julia Bognar, Christian Holzleitner, Helena Wright Ph.D., Hugh McDonald, Christian Stenberg, Sophie Scherger, Simone Westi Højte, Krystyna Springer,  Christoph Heinrich, Ingrid Reumert, Emeline Spire, Sara Vad Sørensen, Niels Anger, Antoine Oger We share this success with our co-organisers Tænketanken EUROPA and CONCITO, and our co-host Copenhagen Business School, for their support in making this event possible. Did you miss the event? 🎥 Watch the recording https://lnkd.in/e_ZfFwUp 📸 Take a look at the pictures https://lnkd.in/eEi43aTa ➡️What’s next? We will publish the Think2030 policy briefings soon, based on the Science4Policy discussions on the website https://think2030.eu/ 📬 Stay updated with Think2030 events and news – follow us or subscribe to our newsletter https://lnkd.in/eDBmG-5u

Last week, our Melanie Muro intervened at the MEP Group on 'Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development' hosted by MEP Elsi Katainen to discuss mobilising private finance for agricultural transition. To effectively transition to a sustainable agri-food system, we need significant investment — not just on farms, but across the entire value chain. This calls for mobilising and aligning private investment with public funding in the next budget period.  Here is how:  🔹 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝗨 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 The new CAP and MFF proposals present a mixed picture: Introducing transition support is a welcome step. But without environmental ring-fencing and strong baseline standards, there’s a real risk that Member States will divert funds away from climate and biodiversity goals. Public funding must send a clear signal: reward environmental outcomes to attract private investment and scale up regenerative practices. 🔹 𝗦𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀 Clear, long-term sectoral targets, for example for emission reductions and nature restoration, create policy stability and generate demand for sustainable investment. Without them, agriculture remains too uncertain for private investment. 🔹 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 Effective alignment requires shared data standards, credible MRV systems, and clear sustainability metrics. Regional one-stop shop could support this by combining access for funding, with technical advice and peer learning. Financing the transition is more than just money—it’s about giving farmers and businesses the confidence, tools, and certainty they need to make changes.   📚 Reading list:  ➝ Review of CAP proposal https://lnkd.in/emMWDXAi ➝ Leveraging private finance for the transition to sustainable agriculture https://lnkd.in/e-WvURcv Thank you to the MEPs group for the invitation and to the panellists Gaelle MARION, Romuald - Ton Pote Agri, Bart Vandewaetere, and moderator Andrew V. for bringing such valuable insights and different angles to the conversation. ➡️ To find out how to work with us on sustainable agricultural financing, contact Melanie Muro, [email protected] #CAP #CommonAgriculturePolicy #MFF

🌍 On #WorldHabitatDay, we call for more biodiversity in urban habitats to strengthen cities’ resilience to climate change, improve the quality of life for citizens and support biodiversity, including pollinators. The #NatureRestorationRegulation requires that Member States ensure no net loss in the total area of urban green space and urban tree canopy cover, and achieve increasing trends from 2031. This aligns with the need to enhance pollinator populations and diversity across ecosystems. Two ways to ensure urban greening efforts truly benefit biodiversity and pollinators: 1️⃣ Robust monitoring systems: cities need systems to track progress, guide urban planning decisions, and improve actions over time. There are already many excellent examples across Europe. 2️⃣ Citizen science: it provides valuable data for monitoring while serving as a powerful awareness-raising tool for the wider public. 🐝Do you want to know more? Read our guidance for monitoring pollinators in urban areas written within the framework of the Safeguard Project ⬇️:  https://lnkd.in/e-CWU9Wa ✍️ Get in touch with Evelyn Underwood [email protected] to learn more about our work on biodiversity. Photo by Hilda Weges

The EU Council has now adopted the Soil Monitoring Directive🎉 This presents a big win for Europe’s soils—taking a landmark step toward safeguarding soil health and tackling desertification. 📈 This directive will require all Member States to monitor and report key soil indicators pertaining to the physical, chemical and biological conditions of the soil. With regular reporting and harmonised standards, we can finally see where degradation is occurring—and where restoration is needed most. 📢 It will also encourage Member States to define and promote sustainable soil management. This is equally important as desertification is not just a singular problem—it has far-reaching implications for food security, biodiversity, water scarcity, and rural livelihoods, especially across Mediterranean Europe. In our brief for the TERRASAFE EU project, “The increasing threat of desertification to Europe”, we highlight how fragmented policies and the absence of binding mechanisms have long held back effective responses. With the #SoilMonitoringDirective now in place, we have a stronger foundation to integrate efforts across agriculture, water, biodiversity and climate policies. Read the brief here ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/eHbGHZu6 #EU #SoilHealth #Desertification #Landdegradation #TERRASAFE

#Think2030 Denmark is LIVE ▶️ Follow the conversation ⤵️ 1️⃣ LINK 👉 https://lnkd.in/edQzmB4r ✔️ Keynotes with Krzysztof (Chris) Bolesta and Lars Aagaard ✔️ High-level panel session: "The Future Climate and Energy Architecture" with Anders Lund, Ottmar Edenhofer, Anais Berthier, and Eva Jensen ✔️ Session 2: "One size fits all? Priorities for the EU’s green industrial policy" with Ditte Brasso Sørensen, Neil Makaroff, Tine Nielsen Hertz, Fleming Voetmann, Andreas Rasche, and Ben Lennon ✔️ Session 4: "How can energy reforms improve European competitiveness?" with Christoph Heinrich, Ingrid Reumert, Emeline Spire, Sara Vad Sørensen, Niels Anger ✔️ Conclusions with Dan Jørgensen and Antoine Oger 2️⃣ LINK 👉 https://lnkd.in/eab9QGrf ✔️ Session 1: "Turning on the taps: Financing the green transition, mobilizing private finance" with Tommy Ahlers, Jurei Yada, Kim Jørgensen, Eulalia Rubio Barcelo, Lars Krogsgaard ✔️ Session 3: "From vision to action: Kick-starting climate action in EU agriculture and food" with Julia Bognar, Christian Holzleitner, Helena Wright Ph.D., Hugh McDonald, Christian Stenberg, Sophie Scherger, and Simone Westi Højte 🙏 Thanks to our co-organisers CONCITO and Tænketanken EUROPA and our host Copenhagen Business School for making this possible! The event is organised in association with the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU 2025. ℹ️ https://lnkd.in/eDcMknD5

Our September newsletter has arrived🎉 #Think2030 Dialogue Denmark is next week—follow live! 🎥 The event will be organised in association with the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU 2025 by Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP) with think tanks CONCITO and Tænketanken EUROPA, and co-hosted by Copenhagen Business School 🗓️ Monday, 29 September 📍 Copenhagen, Ovnhallen at Copenhagen Business School To see the agenda and to follow live, please visit https://lnkd.in/emwSbqru In this newsletter edition: 🔸 The post-2027 CAP and MFF proposals for the EU: first reflections on their environmental implications 🔸 From sustainability to competitive-ness: what shifting narratives means for EU agricultural policy 🔸 Advancing biodiversity monitoring in agricultural landscapes 🔸 Leveraging private finance for the transition to sustainable agriculture Do you want to receive more targeted news? Subscribe to our monthly newsletter ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/eDBmG-5u

🤝 EU and Indonesia conclude negotiations on #FreeTradeAgreement: 1 step forward, 2 steps back     🛳️ After nearly a decade of negotiations, the EU and Indonesia have finally agreed on an FTA. Though this signals progress in terms of diversification and thereby resilience of EU trade relations, there are still three major issues that could hinder environmental commitments: 1️⃣ 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗶𝘁𝘆-𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 ➝ poses a significant risk for Indonesia’s climate targets and biodiversity. The country’s forestry and land use practices is a net contributor to its total emissions. 2023 revealed a 27% uptick in primary forest loss, driven by expanding international demand for nickel [1] and wood pulp and paper [2]. With the recent proposal to further delay the EU Deforestation regulation, the FTA provisions to tackle these trends are more important than ever. 2️⃣ 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 ➝ inclusion of the Paris Agreement should be the baseline for the European Commission, not considered a “win” in this case. It remains unclear whether binding provisions are included to effectively implement the Paris Agreement (including whether the PA becomes an “essential element” of the FTA) and the Montreal-Kunming Global Biodiversity Framework for biodiversity protection. 3️⃣ 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗯𝗮𝗻𝘀 ➝ It will be important to evaluate how the trade agreement navigates Indonesia’s export bans on unprocessed nickel, though the Commission states it has secured stability/predictability on access to nickel and cobalt.    “Until we have the actual text in our hands, it is difficult to assess how far of a step back this trade deal is compared to EU-NZ in securing environmental commitments and safeguards. Unfortunately, it is not looking great, as sustainability commitments are increasingly moved to the backburner in favour of the diversification and liberalisation agenda” - Eline Blot.    ➡️ Next steps: The European Commission will publish the negotiated draft texts and will put forward its proposal to the Council of the European Union for adoption. Then, the EU and Indonesia can sign the agreements.    📑 Read our pre-FTA recommendations for further information https://lnkd.in/eMCgrwVM    🙋 To find out more about our work on EU FTAs, get in touch with Eline Blot at [email protected]. #FTA #EU #Indonesia #Nickel #FreeTradeAgreements