Food systems activities produce greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. They are a primary cause of environmental degradation and significantly contribute to socio-economic and health inequalities. Only a food systems approach can identify effective actions to accelerate climate impacts and reduce inequalities.

Since 2013, URBACT has supported 7 networks to learn from each other on the topics of sustainable food and urban agriculture :

• Food Corridors - empowering rural & urban food connections within European regions
• BioCanteens - ensuring the distribution of sustainable school meals as a lever towards an integrated local agri-food approach
• RU:rban - transferring Rome’s management model of urban gardens
• BeePathNet - enriching the urban jungle with bees
• Sustainable Food in Urban Communities - developing low-carbon and resource-efficient urban food systems
• Agri-Urban - rethinking agri-food production in small and medium-sized cities
• Diet for a Green Planet – addressing the environmental impact of food systems

Thanks to URBACT, almost 50 cities have led the transition towards more sustainable local food ecosystems. In the run up to COP 26, URBACT is pulling together the insights from these cities and beyond to help cities take action. Check all the ingredients below!

URBACT is also supporting the the Glasgow Food and Climate Declaration, placing food and local action at the heart of the global response to the climate emergency. URBACT invites all cities to sign it!