The European food and nutrition system is under enormous pressure, for example due to advancing climate change, geopolitical conflicts, economic crises, pandemics and the increasing demand for renewable raw materials. At the same time, the existing system is having a negative impact, such as contributing to global greenhouse gas emissions, the depletion and waste of resources, the loss of biodiversity, as well as forms of undernutrition, overnutrition and malnutrition, including the resulting health consequences and costs. In the interests of increased resilience and security of supply, it is necessary to take joint steps towards a sustainable food and nutrition system - sustainable from an ecological, economic, social and health perspective. In such a complex system, there are different perspectives on various challenges and equally diverse approaches to overcoming them. The path to a "sustainable food system" can only be travelled in an interdisciplinary, cross-sectoral and systemic manner.
In Austria, necessary steps are being taken towards a systemic, holistic view of the food and nutrition system. This is reflected in the ongoing cooperation between the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Climate and Environmental Protection, Regions and Water Management (BMLUK) and the Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection (BMASGPK) and the Service Agency for Sustainable Food and Nutrition Systems (AGES) commissioned by these ministries.
On 23 October 2026, the Service Agency for Sustainable Food and Nutrition Systems, together with the two ministries, invites you to the fourth annual Sustainable Food Systems Conference .
Once again this year, we would like to share our holistic view of the Austrian food and nutrition system with you and take an in-depth look at individual topics. This time we are focussing on the topic of "Considering planetary boundaries". The focus follows on from last year's focus on "Sustainable and healthy nutrition for all" and will be supplemented in 2027 by an event on "Creating fair economic framework conditions".
Contents
- Systemic thinking | Challenges and opportunities in the Austrian food and nutrition system from the perspective of the service centre
o Current legal and political developments in the Austrian and European context
o A systemic view of identified topics:
1. Sustainable and healthy nutrition for all
2. Consideration of planetary boundaries
3. Creation of fair economic framework conditions
4. Control and resilience of the entire system
- Focus | Identifying ways to take planetary boundaries into account
o Impulses from external speakers
o Breakout sessions for in-depth exchange and networking
Target group
- Public authorities (all administrative levels)
- Public institutions
- Social partners
- academia
- associations
- All other stakeholders in the food and nutrition system
Language
German
Registration information
Please register by 14 October 2026 at the latest.
This event will be held as a face-to-face event.
Technical management
Service Centre for Sustainable Food and Nutrition Systems
AGES GmbH, Competence Centre Food Chain
You are also welcome to send your topic-related questions in advance to nachhaltigkeit@ages.at