Zero hunger in the context of sustainable development goals: A study on European countries

Öz

This study examines hunger, malnutrition, and sustainable agriculture policies in European Union (EU) countries in a multidimensional manner within the framework of Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger). The aim of the research is to comparatively assess the food security, agricultural productivity, and environmental sustainability performance of EU countries based on Eurostat, FAO, and World Bank data for the period 2000–2024. Literature studies show that sustainable agriculture, nutritional quality and climate-friendly production policies are decisive in the success of SDG 2. Eurostat's “Goal 2 – Zero Hunger” indicators (obesity rate, agricultural income, R&D expenditure, organic farming area, ammonia emissions, and soil erosion risk) were used in the analysis. The findings show that despite an increase in organic farming rates and agricultural income in the EU, pesticide use, environmental emissions, and regional inequalities persist. The study emphasizes that SDG 2 requires not only increased production but also comprehensive policies based on the principles of equitable access to food, healthy nutrition, and environmental balance. In conclusion, the EU's experience offers important lessons for the creation of sustainable food systems on a global scale and points to the need to strengthen policy coherence.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Zero Hunger (SDG 2)
• Food Security
• Sustainable Agriculture
• European Union
• Environmental Sustainability

Etik Beyan

This study does not involve the collection of data from human participants and is based solely on publicly available and anonymized secondary data; therefore, ethical approval was not required. All procedures were conducted in accordance with scientific research and publication ethics.

Teşekkür

I would like to thank my advisor, Assoc. Prof. Dr. GÖZDE KOCA, for his scientific guidance and academic contributions throughout the conduct of this study.

Sürdürülebilir kalkınma amaçları bağlamında sıfır açlık: Avrupa ülkeleri üzerine bir inceleme

Öz

Bu çalışma, Sürdürülebilir Kalkınma Amacı 2 (Sıfır Açlık) çerçevesinde Avrupa Birliği (AB) ülkelerinde açlık, yetersiz beslenme ve sürdürülebilir tarım politikalarını çok boyutlu biçimde incelemektedir. Araştırmanın amacı, 2000–2024 dönemi arasında Eurostat, FAO ve Dünya Bankası verileri temelinde AB ülkelerinin gıda güvencesi, tarımsal verimlilik ve çevresel sürdürülebilirlik performanslarını karşılaştırmalı olarak değerlendirmektir. Literatür çalışmaları, sürdürülebilir tarım, beslenme kalitesi ve iklim dostu üretim politikalarının SKA 2'nin başarısında belirleyici olduğunu göstermektedir. Eurostat’ın “Goal 2 – Zero Hunger” göstergeleri (obezite oranı, tarımsal gelir, Ar-Ge harcamaları, organik tarım alanı, amonyak emisyonu ve toprak erozyonu riski) analiz kapsamında kullanılmıştır. Bulgular, AB’de organik tarım oranlarında artış ve tarımsal gelirlerde yükseliş görülmesine rağmen, pestisit kullanımı, çevresel emisyonlar ve bölgesel eşitsizliklerin sürdüğünü göstermektedir. Çalışma, SKA 2’nin yalnızca üretim artışına değil, aynı zamanda adil gıda erişimi, sağlıklı beslenme ve çevresel denge ilkelerine dayalı bütüncül politikalara ihtiyaç duyduğunu vurgulamaktadır. Sonuç olarak, AB’nin deneyimi, küresel ölçekte sürdürülebilir gıda sistemlerinin oluşturulmasına yönelik önemli dersler sunmakta ve politika uyumunun güçlendirilmesinin gerekliliğine işaret etmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Sıfır Açlık (SKA 2)
• Gıda Güvencesi
• Sürdürülebilir Tarım
• Avrupa Birliği
• Çevresel Sürdürülebilirlik

Etik Beyan

Bu çalışma, insan katılımcılardan veri toplamayı içermemekte olup tamamen kamuya açık ve anonim ikincil veriler kullanıldığı için etik kurul onayı gerektirmemektedir. Araştırma sürecinde bilimsel araştırma ve yayın etiği ilkelerine uyulmuştur.

Teşekkür

Bu çalışmanın yürütülmesi süresince sağlamış olduğu bilimsel yönlendirme ve akademik katkılarından dolayı danışmanım Doç. Dr. GÖZDE KOCA'ya teşekkür ederim.

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