The 2021 Climate and Resilience Act proposes the implementation of environmental labeling on food products to inform consumers about the impact of their purchases on ecosystems. Among these impacts, however, those on biodiversity are difficult to grasp in a concise manner. This book documents this biodiversity aspect, focusing on the production practices of a sample of food labels covering products from agriculture, aquaculture, and fisheries. It summarizes the key findings of a study conducted by a multidisciplinary scientific committee at the request of the ministries responsible for ecological transition, agriculture, and food, as well as ADEME. The sample studied illustrates the diversity of labels: public or private, national or international, cross-sectoral (organic agriculture, for example) or specialized in a specific sector (soy, fish, etc.). Since the scientific literature linking labels to impacts on wild biodiversity covers only a limited number of scenarios, the authors propose an approach that involves analyzing the practices identified in the specifications. Furthermore, they examine the institutional design of labels (standards, monitoring, accreditation, traceability) as well as the regulatory and socioeconomic context that helps ensure the effectiveness of their commitments. Finally, three methodological approaches are explored to quantify the impacts on biodiversity, with a view to their application in environmental labeling. This analysis is intended for policymakers and local governments, professionals in the agricultural, aquaculture, and marine sectors, as well as anyone interested in food systems and their environmental impacts.

This book is included in DOAB.