Smart Net-Zero

World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) | Source | Report |

This WWF’s policy brief calls for the urgent integration of seafood into the forthcoming EU Sustainable Food Systems Framework (SFSF), emphasizing its critical role in reversing biodiversity loss, reducing climate emissions, and securing ocean-based livelihoods. Despite its expected release in late 2023, the legislative proposal has been delayed, raising concerns ahead of the 2024 European elections. As the EU imports over 70% of the seafood it consumes, with an average intake of 24 kg per capita annually, WWF urges legally binding SFSF measures to address unsustainable production, excessive imports, and poor traceability. The report outlines 5 priority actions:

1. Shift consumption to less, more sustainable seafood;
2. Ensure affordability of eco-friendly seafood without subsidies for high-impact sources;
3. Improve accountability across the supply chain with traceability and due diligence;
4. Support a climate-neutral system through decarbonized fisheries and aquaculture;
5. Provide better information via transparent and sustainability-based labelling.

WWF urges the EU to incorporate seafood within the SFSF to align with its Green Deal, marine strategies, and global biodiversity and climate goals.