The potential of European abandoned agricultural lands to contribute to the Green Deal objectives: Policy perspectives

The European Green Deal sets targets for biodiversity, climate change, sustainable farming, and rural development. For abandoned agricultural lands to contribute these goals, specific policy measures support appropriate land management are required. However, information is lacking on what policies will mean landowners managers. This paper reviews the role of in Union (EU) linked Deal. We interviewed 30 experts identify challenges faced by response identified gather suggestions future improvements. found few explicit mentions policies. potential alternative trajectories (beyond farming) was generally implicit. According experts, perceive EU Common Agriculture Policy as most influential drive abandonment (or hinder) opportunities re-management. main (re-)use their included conflicting policies, lack financial technical support, a feeling disconnection with defined at level. To address gap between objectives implementation, need secure provide three recommendations uncover targets: (1) increase visibility (2) rely an integrating approach, (3) careful spatial planning account biophysical, socioeconomic, cultural variations across regions.