New EEA briefing highlights sustainable practices for restoring Europe’s ecosystems and boosting agricultural resilience.

Biodiversity-friendly farming practices are emerging as essential strategies to build sustainable and resilient agriculture, according to the latest briefing from the European Environment Agency (EEA) titled "Solutions for Restoring Europe’s Agricultural Ecosystems." The report emphasizes how farmers can adopt evidence-based practices that not only enhance productivity but also restore vital ecosystems like grasslands, hedgerows, and creeks, which are crucial for local biodiversity.

The study highlights that implementing these agricultural practices can create a "win-win" scenario. Farmers can increase their resilience to climate challenges like droughts and floods, while simultaneously improving the health of local ecosystems. By fostering multifunctional, biodiverse landscapes, these practices can reduce the pressures on biodiversity, manage soil and water resources more sustainably, and support pollinators and other essential species.

EU Member States have already included measures for biodiversity-friendly farming in their strategic plans under the Common Agricultural Policy. However, the EEA briefing stresses that coherent policy incentives and adequate financing are crucial to fully restore ecosystems that underpin food production and strengthen rural communities.

Biodiversity plays a fundamental role in agriculture, supporting critical processes like pollination, soil formation, and climate adaptation. Restoring healthy ecosystems is key to safeguarding food security and enhancing the agricultural sector’s capacity to withstand the growing impacts of climate change. The EEA’s briefing provides a clear roadmap for how farmers can contribute to a more sustainable future.