The concept of just transition, originally applied to coal mining and energy policy, is increasingly used in agriculture to describe transforming farming and food systems toward low-carbon, nature-positive approaches while ensuring no one is left behind. Compared with the energy sector, participants noted the agri-food system involves a much broader set of stakeholders, spanning the entire value chain from producer to consumer.

At its first meeting, the group discussed national examples including an Austrian investment support scheme for farmers, Slovakia's Vision for Rural Areas to 2040, and Ireland's AgNav digital sustainability tool, with participants stressing the importance of access to finance and genuine, sustained involvement of those directly affected by the transition. A second, in-person meeting in Brussels developed concrete proposals on the policy and governance structures needed to mainstream a just transition in the sector.

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