Transformative governance for food systems and biodiversity

- a conference for European leaders and change agents

THE CONFERENCE IS FULL - Sessions in the main auditorium will be live-streamed

We convene at the science–policy–society interface to turn research and innovation into evidence‑based, multi‑level governance for food systems and biodiversity. The aim is clear: Accelerate a just green transition that meets climate and biodiversity targets while strengthening resilience and competitiveness across Europe’s agriculture and food sector. To make this happen, more than 300 leaders and change‑makers from policy, industry, academia, and civil society will co‑create practical pathways through keynotes, policy dialogues, and interactive workshops. Together, we will design new governance models, align policies across governance levels, and advance ESG and finance approaches that scale fair, healthy, sustainable, resilient, and competitive solutions for agriculture, food systems and biodiversity.

When: Wednesday 3 December 2025
Where: University of Copenhagen, South Campus, Karen Blixens Plads, 2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark

 

08:00

Registration, coffee and networking
09:00

Introduction to the programme

by conference host Marin Rose, Co-coordinator of the CLEVERFOOD project, University of Copenhagen
09:05

Welcome address

by Bo Jellesmark Thorsen, Dean of Science, University of Copenhagen,
09:10

Opening session:  Shaping a resilient and competitive future for agriculture, food
systems, and biodiversity

Moderated by Christian Bugge Henriksen, Coordinator of the CLEVERFOOD Project, University of Copenhagen

Featuring presentations and discussions with:

  • Jacob Jensen, Minister of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries of Denmark
  • Esther de Lange, Head of Cabinet for Christophe Hansen, European Commission, European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food
  • Paula Harrison, Professor, Co-chair IPBES Nexus Assessment, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH)
  • Jacqueline Broerse, Professor, Director of Athena Institute, Vrije Universität Amsterdam
10:30

Coffee break
11:00

From vision to implementation: Aligning policies for change - choose one of three parallel policy sessions:

Agriculture and food systems: EU policies, strategies and regulation (Main auditorium)

This year the EU has launched the Vision for Agriculture and Food, the Life Sciences Strategy and the Bioeconomy Strategy. A plan for CAP post-2027 is included in the EC proposal for the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). How do we ensure coherence across these policies to advance a sustainable, competitive and resilient agri-food system that will deliver on the EU climate, environment and biodiversity targets?

Moderated by Thom Achterbosch, Senior Researcher, Wageningen University & Research

Featuring presentations and discussions with:

 

 

  • Diego Canga Fano, Deputy Director General, DG AGRI 
  • Richard Zaltzman, CEO, EIT Food
  • Christine Chemnitz, Director, Agora Agriculture
  • Joanna Drake, Deputy Director General, DG RTD
Biodiversity: Global and European strategies and regulations (Small auditorium)

This session explores options for biodiversity accounting in transformative governance and highlights its significance. It will examine existing global and European biodiversity policies and strategies with a bearing on the national level that support transformation, while identifying barriers, opportunities, and potential conflicts of interest that may influence the pace and direction of change 

Moderated by Lars Dinesen, Coordinator of IPBES in Denmark

Featuring presentations and discussions with:

    • Carsten Rahbek, Professor, Head of Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate, University of Copenhagen
    • Paula Harrison, Professor, Co-chair IPBES Nexus Assessment, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH)
    • Alexandra Vakrou, Head of Unit, DG ENV, Green Knowledge & Research Hub, LIFE

    The Danish Green Tripartite Agreement: Collaboration and coordination (Room 15A.0.13)

    This session explores the implementation of the Green Tripartite Agreement, which addresses Denmark’s obligations under key EU and national environmental laws, and will reshape landscapes through more nature areas, forests, and restored wetlands. Implementation involves locally negotiated projects funded by public and private sources. The goal is to enhance biodiversity, water quality, and climate resilience.

    Moderated by Signe Skjoldborg Brieghel, Tenure Track Assistant Professor, University of Copenhagen

    • Henrik Vejre, Professor, University of Copenhagen
    • Birgit S. Hansen, Green Tripartite representative, Local Government Denmark
    • Anna de Klauman, Deputy Permanent Secretary, The Danish Ministry for Green Transition
    12:15

    Networking lunch

    13:30

    From Knowledge to Impact: Building Coherent Pathways for Transformation - choose one of ten parallel workshops from across the three tracks:

    TRACK I: How can we develop evidence-based policies on agriculture, food systems and biodiversity using a whole systems approach?
    • IA: What exactly is transformative governance for agriculture, food systems, and biodiversity? 
    • IB: How to apply food systems science to support transformative governance and evidence-based policymaking?
    • IC: Living labs and policy councils as enablers of transformative change in local food systems
    • ID: Overcoming polarization and bridging the rural-urban divide on agriculture, food systems and biodiversity

    TRACK II: How can we coordinate policies and regulations on agriculture, food systems and biodiversity with other policies across different governance levels?
    • IIA: From policy to action - strengthening food security in times of uncertainty through approaches integrating One/Planetary Health & Biodiversity
    • IIB: Coordinating policies and regulations to shape food environments in favour of cultivated biodiversity
    • IIC: Co-creating pathways for transformative food system innovation in Europe
    • IID: Innovating coordination in European agrifood policies

    TRACK III: How can we advance ESG frameworks and investment strategies to restore biodiversity and support a fair, healthy and sustainable agriculture and food system?
    • IIIA: Increasing investment in biodiversity and food systems transformation: a co-creation task for policy-science-industry-finance

    • IIIB: Blended finance and social innovation for agrifood business models that reward soil health and biodiversity
    15:30

    Coffee break
    16:00

    Turning insights into action for transformative governance of agriculture, food systems and biodiversity

    Strategic Reflections on Transformative Governance and the Bioeconomy by James Morrison, Director of Healthy Planet, European Commission (TBC)

    Rotating panel discussion with track leaders and participants from the parallel workshops

    Moderated by: Christian Bugge Henriksen, Coordinator of the CLEVERFOOD project, University of Copenhagen
    17:20 - 17:30

    Concluding remarks

    By conference host Marin Rose, Co-coordinator of the CLEVERFOOD project, University of Copenhagen
    18:00 - 22:00

    Conference dinner at the Square, South Campus