Guaranteeing the access to healthy and sustainable food for present and future generations - ClientEarth briefing

The degradation of ecosystems by intensive agri-food models and fisheries and the increase of climate-induced events are already impacting food production within and outside the EU, as well as exposing people to harmful living conditions and pollution. With these risks worsening, a lack of sufficient action to tackle the degradation of natural resources, the biodiversity crisis and the changing climate may well affect our future capacity to access quality food in satisfactory quantities.

The capacity of current and future generations to access healthy and sustainable food has been recognised as a human right, constituting a key component of the right to a healthy environment. EU authorities have a responsibility to respect, protect and fulfil the right to a healthy environment in all its substantive elements, including in relation to healthy and sustainable food. The EU Legislative Framework for Sustainable Food Systems (FSFS), the proposal of which is expected in autumn 2023, must guarantee the full enjoyment of the right to healthy and sustainable food.