European Commission wants to slash use of chemical pesticides by 50% by 2030
The European Commission wants to cut the use of chemical pesticides in half by 2030, as part of its latest plan on sustainability and biodiversity. The EU institution’s announcement, a piece of its ambitious Farm to Fork strategy, aims to make food systems more healthy and environmentally-friendly. The Commission said it does not want to […]
No public health without planetary health
April 7 marks WHO’s annual World Health Day, which this year has the theme “Our planet, our health”. The future health of the planet and human health are inextricably linked. An estimated 13 million deaths annually are attributable to avoidable environmental causes, and that number will continue to grow unless overconsumption and reliance on fossil fuels […]
Pesticides in the EU: A Creeping Costly Venom
In November, three organizations, Pollinis, Le Basic and Terre Solidaire jointly published a shocking study about the hidden socio-economical costs of pesticides, where we learn that the European Union is one of the biggest consumer of pesticides in the world. This publication adds to the long list of recent controversies regarding pesticides in the EU. […]
UN backs plans to ensure regular, healthy school meals for every child in need by 2030
Following pandemic-driven school closures, five UN agencies threw their strong support behind an international coalition to improve the nutrition, health and education of school-age children around the world. In a joint declaration on Tuesday, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World […]
To make good, healthy cheese you need natural, diverse meadows
In Italy stable meadows are disappearing through the abandonment of the countryside and soil consumption. Across Europe they occupy a surface area as large as France, and the most flourishing meadows are found in Ireland, Spain and Portugal. They’re fundamental for maintaining biodiversity, be it vegetal or animal, and for the diet and well-being of […]
Nature-based Solutions can save the planet, but only if we change our diets too
Natural ecosystems, such as forests, grasslands and oceans, do a pretty good job of storing carbon and supporting biodiversity. It’s therefore no surprise that Nature-based Solutions (NbS) – actions to protect, sustainably manage and restore natural or modified ecosystems, for the benefit of people and nature – are being widely discussed by NGOs, multi-stakeholder platforms and coalitions of countries as […]
COVID-19 imperils ‘historic advances’ in children’s access to school meals: UN report
According to WFP’s report, State of School Feeding Worldwide, 370 million children in 199 countries and territories were suddenly deprived of school meals, when schools closed due to the pandemic. That meal was for many their only nutritious food of the day. David Beasley, WFP Executive Director, highlighted the importance of what’s been lost: “That one meal a day […]
FAO launches the UN’s International Year of Fruits and Vegetables 2021
The Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), QU Dongyu, today [15 December 2020] launched the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables 2021 (IYFV) with an appeal to improve healthy and sustainable food production through innovation and technology and to reduce food loss and waste. Proclaimed at the 74th session the UN General Assembly, […]
Exploring linkages between food, well-being and sustainable tourism
Food, Well-being and Wellness Tourism were at the centre of a public seminar organised in Kuopio, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2020-2021 on 11 September, in the framework of the 7th Annual IGCAT Experts’ Meeting. The event was virtually joined by experts from all over the world who shared views on how to respond to changing consumer behaviour, the increasing inclination […]
Tourism Manifesto welcomes EC’s package on Tourism and Transport
Following the publication of the European Commission’s guidance on how to safely resume travel and reboot Europe’s tourism in 2020 and beyond, the European Tourism Manifesto alliance published an official statement to applaud this initiative that recognises the vital role the travel and tourism sector plays in the European economy and employment. As member organisation […]
Focussing on food, well-being and wellness tourism
IGCAT’s Annual Expert Meeting 2020 aims to explore how the combination of gastronomy, arts, culture and nature can contribute to health and well-being both for local citizens and discerning visitors. The meeting will be hosted by Kuopio, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2020-2021 on 9-11 September, together with a public seminar on Food, Well-being and Wellness Tourism. Experts from […]
Greener and Healthier Futures for the European Regions of Gastronomy
Policies and practices from the European Regions of Gastronomy that support local greener and healthier development as well as highlight the vital role of local gastronomy in sustainable growth, were the focus of this year’s round table organised by the International Institute of Gastronomy, Culture, Arts and Tourism (IGCAT) in Brussels, on 9 October 2019. […]
