Image:
Food security refers to a set of circumstances in which all people have access to enough safe and nutritious food to have a healthy life. Food security can be strengthened through NbS that can transform food systems to work in harmony with nature, reversing biodiversity loss while sustaining productivity.
In Europe, agriculture remains a leading driver of ecosystem degradation and water and soil pollution; NbS offer a pathway to restore ecological functions essential for food production. Practices related to agroforestry (farming that mixes trees with crops or animals) and agroecology (farming that works with natural processes instead of chemicals) include crop diversification, biological control, reduced tillage (less soil disturbance when planting) or no-tillage systems that avoid pesticide use, and regenerative grazing (moving animals in ways that help the land recover). These approaches enhance soil structure, increase water retention, and support nutrient cycling, pest control, and pollination services. Together, they reduce reliance on synthetic or inorganic inputs.
These interventions provide direct benefits, including stable and diversified yields, nutrient-rich food, and enhanced climate resilience, and indirect benefits, such as improved water quality, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and preserved rural livelihoods. By maintaining fertile soils, healthy pollinator populations, and functioning water cycles, NbS reduce the vulnerability of food systems to climate extremes, pests, and market shocks. Integrated into rural and peri-urban landscapes, NbS for food security ensure a reliable and sustainable food supply while restoring biodiversity and ecosystem health.