The rich agenda of the two-days gathering gave opportunity not only for having Group meetings on specialized topics in the morning on 5 November before the lunch-to-lunch Plenary Meeting, but also having a specific BrightSpace-LAMASUS joint session on 6 November afternoon.
Day 1: 5 November 2024
Overview of morning sessions:
- The first session of the morning featured focused discussions on several specialized topics, including sustainability measurement using the European Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN), biodiversity modeling, and just transitions in agricultural practices. The workshop on biodiversity delved into the GLOBIO model, exploring its ability to account for land use, pesticides, and organic farming practices. Challenges included data limitations, defining biodiversity “intactness,” and capturing the nuanced impacts of different agricultural systems. Participants emphasized the importance of moving beyond debates on biodiversity indicators toward actionable policies and practical metrics that address both ecological and policy goals.
- The second session was dedicated to organic farming and its economic and environmental impacts. Key discussions addressed data and methodological challenges, such as the use of staggered difference-in-differences and machine learning techniques, and limitations of the FADN dataset. Preliminary findings showed modest economic and environmental shifts, with pesticide and fertilizer use often returning to original levels over time. Participants called for more research on drivers of organic farming adoption, a better understanding of farm heterogeneity, and refined indicators to capture environmental dimensions effectively.
- The final session covered CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) modeling within the BrightSpace project toolbox. The session examined tools for aligning agricultural policies with sustainability goals, including scenario analysis and baseline construction.
Across all discussions, the morning sessions highlighted the need for advanced methodologies, comprehensive data integration, and collaboration among modeling teams to address the complex interdependencies of agricultural sustainability, policy, and biodiversity.
Annual Meeting: Welcome and Keynote (13:30 – 14:00)
- The meeting opened with a keynote by Giampiero Genovese from JRC, setting the tone for discussions on sustainable development and the project’s role in addressing the challenges within the Safe and Just Operating Space (SJOS).
Project Progress and Communication Updates (14:00 – 15:30)
- Marc Müller outlined the objectives of the meeting, emphasizing the need to align activities with overarching project goals.
- Alexandra Menzel, Marc Müller, and Floor Geerling-Eiff presented progress highlights, showcasing advancements across work packages.
- Katalin Balázs provided an update on communication efforts (WP11), focusing on enhancing visibility and engagement.
- Viktoriya Sturm discussed stakeholder engagement activities (WP11), emphasizing collaboration outcomes from the past year.
Capacity Building and Scenario Development (16:00 – 17:40)
- Michiel van Dijk highlighted the success of AMRYN capacity-building initiatives, with a focus on training young researchers.
- Peter Witzke presented insights from the first stakeholder retreat, particularly on baseline development and scenario planning.
- Marc Müller and Saeed Moghayer detailed the integration of SJOS indicators into BrightSpace models and scenarios across multiple work packages.
Closing Updates (18:00 – 18:30)
- The day concluded with updates from DG AGRI by Olaf Heidelbach and an overview by Marc Müller of the next day’s agenda.
Day 2: 6 November 2024
Morning Kickoff and Model Alignment (08:30 – 09:35)
- A recap of Day 1 was followed by discussions on aligning BrightSpace models for SJOS indicators and scenario development.
- Contributions were made by Saeed Moghayer, Zuzana Kristkova, Hugo Storm, and Lukáš Čechura, focusing on technology and policy options for scenario development.
Group Discussions and Outlook (09:35 – 11:10)
- Moderators facilitated group discussions on technology and policy options, fostering collaboration to refine scenario outcomes.
- George Philippidis presented an outlook for WP10, which focuses on long-term scenario planning and model harmonization.
Closing Remarks and Statements (11:20 – 12:00)
- Tassos Haniotis from SPAB and Project Officer Angela Guarino provided concluding insights, recognizing the team’s efforts and emphasizing the importance of continued collaboration.
- Hans van Meijl delivered a closing statement, underscoring the strategic direction for BrightSpace in 2025.
The meeting ended with a lunch session, providing an informal platform for participants to network and reflect on the two days of discussions.
