How can Europe remain competitive, resilient and secure in an increasingly unstable world? According to the central message of EU Green Week 2026, the answer starts with nature.
The EU’s flagship annual environment conference begins today (3 June) in Brussels, bringing together policymakers, business leaders, environmentalists, investors, scientists, farmers, innovators and civil society to explore how investing in nature can strengthen Europe’s economy, security and long-term prosperity.
Hosted by the European Commission, this year’s Green Week focuses on building a “nature-positive economy” — recognising that healthy ecosystems are not a luxury, but essential infrastructure underpinning food production, water security, climate resilience, public health and economic stability. When these systems weaken, the economy suffers.
From environmental issue to economic strategy
The conference comes at a pivotal moment for Europe. Biodiversity loss, water stress and ecosystem degradation are increasingly recognised not only as environmental challenges, but as economic and security risks. As much as two-thirds of Europe’s economic activity depends on the services nature provides — from fertile soils and pollination to clean water, flood protection and stable supply chains.
The conference also coincides with the publication of the latest Eurobarometer survey on biodiversity, which shows continued strong public support among Europeans for protecting nature and tackling biodiversity loss. It underlines the growing awareness that healthy ecosystems are essential for both environmental and economic resilience.
Over two days, speakers and participants will examine how restoring ecosystems can help Europe become more resilient and competitive while supporting innovation, investment and local jobs.
Discussions will focus on:
- Regenerative and profitable farming models;
- Financing tools, such as nature credits and biodiversity investment frameworks;
- Restoring nature at scale;
- Regenerating soil;
- Greening cities;
- Tackling rural decline through nature-based development;
- And how businesses are integrating nature into economic strategy and risk management.
Connecting innovators with investors
A highlight of this year’s event is Re:Invest in Nature, the first initiative of its kind organised by the European Commission.
It brings together 70 start-ups and entrepreneurs developing technology and business models based on nature with potential investors, including global firms, like JP Morgan and Rabobank.
“This year, Green Week focuses on a simple but powerful truth: Healthy ecosystems are the foundation of resilient, competitive economies.
When we invest in them, we are not choosing nature over growth; we are choosing the kind of growth that lasts. Our task over the next two days — and the months and years ahead — is to turn that understanding into concrete action.”
Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy
Youth policy dialogue, LIFE Awards and global participation
Green Week extends far beyond the conference venue in Brussels.
Throughout June, hundreds of partner events are taking place across Europe, as well as in Türkiye, China, and the US. These include guided bike rides through bird reserves, TED talks on investing in biodiversity, workshops, public debates, seminars, and exhibitions.
A key moment of the week will be the Youth Policy Dialogue, where young people from across Europe will have a direct exchange with Commissioner Roswall on their expectations for Europe’s environmental future, intergenerational fairness and the transition to a resilient economy.
The programme also includes the annual LIFE Awards, celebrating some of the EU’s most innovative and impactful environmental and climate projects funded under the LIFE Programme. The awards showcase successful initiatives that help restore ecosystems, protect biodiversity, reduce pollution, and accelerate Europe’s green transition.
During the conference, the winner of the #ForOurPlanet Award will also be announced. Run by the European Commission and the European External Action Service in partnership with the European Training Foundation’s Green Skills Award, the award recognises inspiring initiatives that contribute to nature restoration and conservation.
The conference will conclude with a screening of the documentary Becoming Nature Positive, followed by a discussion with Marco Lambertini, former Director General of WWF International and Convener of the Nature Positive Initiative.
Background
Protecting and restoring nature is a central pillar of the EU’s environmental and economic agenda. Through the European Commission’s Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the EU has committed to halting and reversing biodiversity loss this decade.
Recent EU measures include the adoption of the Nature Restoration Regulation, stronger biodiversity targets, initiatives on soil and water resilience, and efforts to promote a clean, competitive and resilient bio-based economy.
Alongside regulation, the EU is increasingly focusing on mobilising investment for nature. Public funding alone will not be sufficient to close the biodiversity financing gap, which is why the EU is working to create enabling conditions for private investment through sustainable finance frameworks, nature credits pilots and support for innovative business models
The objective is to accelerate the transition towards a nature-positive economy — one where sustainable economic growth, competitiveness and resilience are reinforced by healthy ecosystems rather than achieved at their expense.
