Human activities, such as pollution and climate change, are altering ecosystems worldwide, yet the anticipated trend of biotic homogenization is not as straightforward as expected. A large-scale study across 97,000 sites reveals that while biodiversity declines and community composition shifts, the impacts are far from uniform. This research highlights that
A recent study, synthesizing over 2,000 global studies, confirms that human activities are driving biodiversity loss across the planet. Researchers from the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology and the University of Zurich conducted the study, covering nearly 100,000 sites across terrestrial, freshwater, and marine habitats. The findings
By Angela Symons – Euro News The EU’s Nature Restoration Law, a landmark regulation, has been approved after extensive deliberations. This first-of-its-kind law aims to restore Europe’s damaged ecosystems and enhance biodiversity. Alain Maron, Brussels’ environment minister, emphasized the urgency of environmental protection. Environmental groups, including The Nature Conservancy, have
The European Environment Agency regularly monitors nature, assessing conservation status and protected areas. Europe faces significant biodiversity threats from urban sprawl, unsustainable farming and forestry, and pollution, leading to fragmented habitats. EEA reports indicate that only 15% of habitats and 27% of protected species maintain good conservation status. EU directives
In support of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, IGCAT ́s World Regions of Gastronomy not only have great culinary assets but they are also committed to stimulating debate about the production of sufficient and healthy food for everyone. We know there is enough food to feed the world if we protect the planet’s
IGCAT and the Slovenian Beekeepers’ Association (SBA) have teamed up to raise the profile of natural honey and preservation of bees in the World/European Regions of Gastronomy. The two organisations signed a collaboration agreement on 22 February 2023 to join efforts for the safeguard of biodiversity, the promotion of food
The United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP15) ended in Montreal, Canada, on 19 December 2022 with a landmark agreement to guide global action on nature through to 2030. Representatives from 188 governments have been gathered in Montreal for the past two weeks for the important summit. Chaired by China and hosted
IGCAT and Slow Food have joined forces to support the safeguard and promotion of cultural, food and biodiversity. This new collaboration was formalised on 15 December at the Saudi Feast Food Festival in Riyadh, where a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between President of IGCAT, Diane Dodd PhD and Director General of Slow Food, Paolo Di
Finalists to the European Young Chef Award 2022 officially committed to supporting more environmentally, ethically, socially, culturally and economically sustainable food production and consumption practices. By signing up as IGCAT Regional Chef Ambassadors, on 11 November 2022 the young chefs pledged to proudly and sustainably promote their regions’ food and
The short films Welcome to the Farm – Les Cabres d’en Peyu from Catalonia, European Region of Gastronomy awarded 2016, and Let’s Go to Aseer from Aseer, World Region of Gastronomy awarded 2024 were selected as Public’s Favourite European Film and Public’s Favourite World Film respectively in the framework of the International Food Film Menu
A mouth-watering journey across the colours and flavours of awarded, candidate and nominated World/European Regions of Gastronomy, IGCAT’s International Food Film Menu 2022 has been officially announced! After evaluating over 50 short film submissions, a jury of international experts in the food, culture and film sectors elected 10 category winners
Despite having vast amounts of arable land, nutritious indigenous crops and a booming agricultural sector, Africa still imports most of its grain. The Russian army’s blockade of Ukraine’s Black Sea ports and the ripple effects of Western sanctions against Moscow have raised international food and fuel prices, leaving millions of Africans facing an “unprecedented food
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
The Aseer region (Saudi Arabia) will be officially awarded the title of World Region of Gastronomy 2024 by IGCAT. They will be the first region outside Europe to earn this important accolade that recognises Aseer’s commitment to local sustainable development. After evaluating the bid book, Marhaban Alf – Aseer the
Climate change isn’t the only major crisis facing the world. We’re in the middle of a mass extinction, and we’re missing all of our biodiversity targets. October 2021 was an important month for crisis meetings. There was the big one, COP26, where decisionmakers descended on Glasgow to spend two frenetic
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
