Thematic Group on Just Transition in the Agri-Food System: the Role of the CAP

European agriculture stands at a critical juncture. The sector faces mounting pressures from climate change, biodiversity loss, volatile markets, and social inequalities, all of which threaten the resilience of farming communities and the sustainability of food systems. A new systemic approach is needed – one that combines environmental ambition with social fairness and economic viability and allows the agri-food system to become more resilient to these shocks, while operating within planetary boundaries.

Achieving the necessary scale of transformation requires significant change, carried out in a fair and equitable way. The concept of a Just Transition in the agri-food system seeks to ensure that environmental and climate objectives are achieved without deepening social or economic inequalities. The concept has been used most frequently in relation to climate and energy policy, but is increasingly applied to agriculture and agri-food systems. It requires an integrated, coordinated and holistic approach to policy design and implementation to address environmental, economic, and social needs in a coherent and equitable way. Participation of all those affected in finding solutions is an essential component of the concept, with a strong emphasis on ensuring that marginalised voices are heard and that transition pathways leave no one behind.

The CAP can play an important role in supporting the systemic transformation required to meet the current challenges in the agri-food system, if support is structured and designed appropriately, looking at solutions that address the needs of the agri-food sector in an integrated way. While the CAP provides the main source of funding for the sector, it cannot provide all the solutions alone. Other policies, stakeholders, and market-based initiatives, such as trade policies, value chain actors, and emerging market mechanisms, must also play their part. To be effective, these efforts need to be aligned and work together in an integrated and coherent way.

This TG was an opportunity for a committed group of experts and relevant stakeholders that will to explore the CAP’s role in promoting a fair and inclusive transition to a more sustainable and competitive agri-food system. To this end, it looked into how fairness and sustainability can be embedded into the implementation of the CAP and related instruments, both in the current period and in the future. It addressed the need for coherent approaches that align climate and environmental objectives with social and economic realities, ensuring that no one is left behind. The TG discussed how CAP Strategic Plans (CSPs) can be used to address climate and environmental needs without increasing social or economic inequalities and to support farmers and rural communities in building resilience and competitiveness.

To achieve this, the TG builds on findings from previous Thematic Groups, and will had the following objectives:  

The TG consisted of a small (around 40) but dedicated cross-section of informed and engaged stakeholders, including policymakers and administrators at regional and national levels (including Managing Authorities, Paying Agencies), beneficiaries, such as farmers and farming organisations, LEADER Local Action Groups (LAGs), Operational Groups (EIP), advisers, researchers, National CAP Networks (NNs), and other relevant rural and environmental stakeholders. Participants commited to engaging in two meetings and related activities, ensuring diverse perspectives and active contributions to achieving the TG's objectives.