“We want to make every hectare an active ally of biodiversity.” This motto of a new pilot project in Spain sets the agenda: A practical system for collecting biodiversity and environmental indicators is being tested on 157 hectares of fruit and vegetable cultivation areas.
The aim is to make biodiversity measurable – and to leverage the protection of biodiversity as a strategic advantage for more sustainable and future-proof agriculture. To achieve this, more than 30 ecological indicators are being collected – including those for soil quality, water availability, vegetation cover, species diversity, pesticide use, and CO₂ and water footprints.
The project is supported by Biodiversity Grow / Quality and Adviser (coordination), GLOBALG.A.P. and the Global Nature Fund. It serves to develop the new GLOBALG.A.P. standard Sustainable Environmental Solutions (ESS), which is due to be published in early 2026, and incorporates the biodiversity criteria of the Food for Biodiversity initiative.
Participating farms work with experts to develop individual action plans to implement specific improvements – such as establishing ecological infrastructures or promoting beneficial insects. Progress is regularly reviewed, scientifically supported, and transparently documented.
Beyond protecting ecosystems, the project helps farmers gain access to markets with high sustainability requirements. The indicators are based on Europe’s most significant ecological risks – ranging from water scarcity and soil health to climate change.
In the short term, the project partners anticipate, among other things, improvements in agro-ecological infrastructures, an increased presence of pollinators and other beneficial insects, and a reduction in herbicide use.
In the long term, the project aims to demonstrate that biodiversity is not an obstacle, but a driver for economic stability and competitiveness. Scientifically sound data builds trust – among producers, retailers, and consumers – and proves that sustainable agriculture can be measurable, implementable, and profitable.
Further information on the project is available from Marion Hammerl, President of the Global Nature Fund(hammerl@globalnature.org).
You can find a comprehensive article on the project here (PDF Download, English).
Our project “Fit for Biodiversity” also addresses the topic of biodiversity in the food industry.
