The Development of Sustainable Agriculture in EU Countries and the Potential Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals Specific Targets (SDG 2)

Abstract

The development of sustainable agriculture is treated as a priority at the EU level, and the importance and role of agriculture, in general, and sustainable agriculture, in particular, is undeniable. The European Commission pushes for sustainability in agriculture in rural areas across the EU through the common agricultural policy (CAP), and the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development targets becomes essential. Through our research, we aimed to investigate the status of sustainable agriculture development in EU Member States by assessing the current level of the achievement of SDG 2 targets, as well as the potential achievement of these targets by 2030. Based on data collected from Eurostat, we forecast the evolution of indicators for each country considered until 2030 using the ARIMA model and dynamic indicator analysis. The results obtained suggest, on the one hand, the existence of positive developments at the level of European countries, but also highlight a number of existing disparities, together with evidence of potentially significant deviations from the targets assumed by the 2030 Agenda.

A comparative view of the level of agricultural sustainability – The case of European Union member states

“…Meanwhile, Hurduzeu et al (2022), evaluating the development of sustainable agriculture from the perspective of potential accomplishment of the SDGs set out in the Agenda 2030, emphasised the role of organic farming. They demonstrated that in 2020 only one country achieved a goal specified in the Agenda 2030: at least 25% of land used for organic crops (Austria, 25.69%).…”

“…Sustainable agriculture is hence deemed a priority in its development at the EU level. The European Commission, via the Common Agricultural Policy, has oriented the development of the agricultural sector at sustainable development (Dos Santos & Ahmad, 2020; Hurduzeu et al, 2022). Kowalska and Bieniek (2022) highlighted that if the agricultural sector takes on the right path, that is, the path towards sustainable development, it will satisfy the human requirement for food, provide a good source of income, and contribute to sustainable rural development.…”

An analysis framework proposal for regional revitalization and a policy proposal for Namegata City, Ibaraki Prefecture

“…Goals and frameworks are developed by various countries and groups. For example, the European Union identified sustainable agriculture and villages as one of its sustainable development goals [Gheorghe et al, 2022]. Meanwhile, Geng et al [2023] constructed a new 5E (estate, environment, education, efficacy, and earning) framework with a comprehensive index system.…”

Exploring the Impact of the Greening of the Agri-Food Sector on Economic Growth: An Empirical Approach in the BVAR Framework for the EU

“…The vertical growth of the population and the continuous strengthening of industrial and agricultural production have for years created concerns about the ability of future societies to cover their basic needs. More specifically, food production must double by 2050 to meet the world's growing population's expected demand and that the global population will number approximately 9.8 billion by 2050 and 11.2 billion by 2100 [1,2].…”