The Montpellier way towards sustainable food systems
A new declaration sheds light on food insecurity and health inequalities and advocates for a strengthened Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)
Food systemsAbout
More and more cities are leading the way to sustainable food system transformations. They are recognising that food is not solely a national and supra-national concern but a deeply interconnected urban-rural issue at the regional level. As cities adopt a systems-thinking approach to food, moving beyond the simple production-consumption divide, they re-establish connections between urban areas and their surrounding peri-urban territories.
Supporting emerging farmers in Montpellier
French cities have recognised this territorial nature of food. A key development in this journey was the Declaration of the Territorial Conference on the Agroecological Transition and Sustainable Food (Assises Territoriales de la Transition Agroécologique et de l’Alimentation Durable), held in December 2024 in Montpellier, one of Energy Cities’ member cities. The declaration was initiated during the 3rd edition of the Territorial Conferences on the Agro-Ecological Transition and Sustainable Food co-organised by ADEME, Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole, the City of Montpellier, Terres en villes, France urbaine and Nantes Métropole, among others.
The declaration recognises the economic challenges faced by farmers, including rising costs and market volatility, which act as barriers to the adoption of sustainable practices. It also sheds light on social issues such as food insecurity and health inequalities across different citizen groups. Moreover, it advocates for a strengthened Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) that supports agroecological practices and the development of regional food strategies.
An example of these principles is reflected in Montpellier’s urban planning and its support for emerging farmers. The city has enacted policies that enable access to peri-urban farmland, offering opportunities for new farmers to trial and establish sustainable agri-business models. These initiatives are closely aligned with the broader objectives of the declaration, aiming to build resilient and equitable food systems.
For more information, read the full declaration in French here!
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