A new measure of food system sustainability for use in European Union policy-making

In 2023, 8.2 % of the European population experienced food insecurity, with a concerning progressive increase in its prevalence observed annually since 2019. The ongoing agricultural and environmental policy reforms in the European Union (EU), where food insecurity has been on a slow rise, justifies the need for analysis regarding building sustainable food systems in the Member States (MSs). This study aimed to develop a new synthetic food system sustainability index that considers the specificity of EU policies and strategies. Hellwig's method, a linear ordering technique, was used to establish a ranking list of the EU 27 MSs and identify the countries with the best and the poorest results in terms of food system sustainability, as well as regards each dimension (environment, society and politics, economics, food security). The new measure was built on 27 indicators belonging to key categories such as air quality, water, soil and land management, biodiversity, energy, inclusion, employment, income, peace and stability, value added, productivity, food availability, accessibility and stability, and nutrition. Ultimately, these include, among others, three EU-specific indicators (share of agricultural land under contract to improve soil, share of organic farmland in total agricultural area, and share of agricultural area in Natura 2000). Austria led in food system sustainability, excelling in environmental, economic, and food security aspects. Austria's national strategies for the agri-food sector effectively mitigate trade-offs across economic, social, and environmental domains, offering a model for other countries to enhance sustainability. The Netherlands, a leading EU producer of animal-based products, performs poorly in environmental sustainability, highlighting the need for Dutch farmers to adopt regenerative livestock farming practices. The proposed index offers a multi-criteria decision-making framework for political decision-makers at European and national levels. It can also facilitate the development of similar frameworks by other regional organizations, such as ASEAN.