[{"command":"openDialog","selector":"#drupal-modal","settings":null,"data":"\u003Cdiv id=\u0022republish_modal_form\u0022\u003E\u003Cform class=\u0022modal-form-example-modal-form ecl-form\u0022 data-drupal-selector=\u0022modal-form-example-modal-form\u0022 action=\u0022\/en\/article\/modal\/9367\u0022 method=\u0022post\u0022 id=\u0022modal-form-example-modal-form\u0022 accept-charset=\u0022UTF-8\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHorizon articles can be republished for free under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence.\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cp\u003EYou must give appropriate credit. We ask you to do this by:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n 1) Using the original journalist\u0027s byline\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n 2) Linking back to our original story\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n 3) Using the following text in the footer: This article was originally published in \u003Ca href=\u0027#\u0027\u003EHorizon, the EU Research and Innovation magazine\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cp\u003ESee our full republication guidelines \u003Ca href=\u0027\/horizon-magazine\/republish-our-stories\u0027\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cp\u003EHTML for this article, including the attribution and page view counter, is below:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022js-form-item form-item js-form-type-textarea form-item-body-content js-form-item-body-content ecl-form-group ecl-form-group--text-area form-no-label ecl-u-mv-m\u0022\u003E\n \n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n \u003Ctextarea data-drupal-selector=\u0022edit-body-content\u0022 aria-describedby=\u0022edit-body-content--description\u0022 id=\u0022edit-body-content\u0022 name=\u0022body_content\u0022 rows=\u00225\u0022 cols=\u002260\u0022 class=\u0022form-textarea ecl-text-area\u0022\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EFive key questions to answer about resilient and sustainable food systems\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe growing global population, reducing rural poverty, protecting the environment, climate change and the biodiversity crisis are just some of the challenges currently facing agriculture around the world. But we can do much to improve this situation by rethinking the food production and distribution systems to make them more sustainable. This shift should reflect local needs, culture and conditions, say experts.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUp to now, plans to change the food industry were made on a sector-by-sector basis through say, agriculture, education and health. But this approach fails to recognise the interconnections between food, health and the environment. A systematic approach to change is required.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u2018These interconnections must be acknowledged to achieve effective planning and successful policy implementation,\u2019 said Tom Arnold. He chairs the European Commission\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/info\/news\/new-high-level-expert-group-assess-need-international-platform-food-systems-science-2021-feb-17_en\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EHigh Level Expert Group\u003C\/a\u003E on how science and evidence can better support policy making for sustainable food systems.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFood systems\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe key to reversing this fragmented approach is to take a \u201cfood systems\u201d view. It seeks to identify, analyse and assess the impact and feedback of the system\u2019s different actors, activities and outcomes. This in turn helps to identify possible measures to enhance the security of food and nutrition.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFood systems are a complex web of people, institutions, activities, processes and infrastructure which combine to produce, process, transport, serve and consume food.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe food system not only profoundly influences our bodily health, but also the health of our environment, economy and even our society. When it works well, it is the bedrock of our families, communities and countries.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFollowing the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine it\u2019s clear that much of the world\u2019s food system lacks resilience and is vulnerable to collapse. To address these vulnerabilities, the experts need to consider five key questions about the global food system.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E1. How are food systems influencing and being impacted by climate change?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEach activity within the food system generates pollutants and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which cause climate change. Food production usually involves the use of farm machinery, industrial fertilisers and packaging, all of which heavily rely on fossil fuel components. Much food is then refrigerated and travels long distances from farm to fork.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFurthermore, overproduction leads to large amounts of food that is wasted. As it decomposes, food generates methane, a potent GHG. When food is wasted, the emissions generated to produce that food are wasted too.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EClimate change directly affects the security of food and nutrition, especially in the Global South. There, many countries are experiencing a shorter growing season, lower crop yields, and decreasing amounts of arable land.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERising temperatures can lead to water shortages, exacerbating malnutrition. Millions of small farmers (who are often the backbone of food production) are going out of business to be replaced by large-scale operations that produce food for export, not for the local population.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E2. What are European policymakers, scientists and citizens doing to transform food systems?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe EU\u2019s 2019 \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/food\/horizontal-topics\/farm-fork-strategy_en\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EFarm-to-Fork Strategy\u003C\/a\u003E acknowledges the challenges facing sustainable food systems. Its goal is to ensure that the benefits of the transition towards a green economy are experienced by everyone in society.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\u0022tw-text-center tw-text-blue tw-font-bold tw-text-2xl lg:tw-w-1\/2 tw-border-2 tw-border-blue tw-p-12 tw-my-8 lg:tw-m-12 lg:tw--ml-16 tw-float-left\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cspan class=\u0022tw-text-5xl tw-rotate-180\u0022\u003E\u201c\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003Cp class=\u0022tw-font-serif tw-italic\u0022\u003EMember States must deliver on the commitments made at the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit and form a vital link between global and local policy actions.\r\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cfooter\u003E\n \u003Ccite class=\u0022tw-not-italic tw-font-normal tw-text-sm tw-text-black\u0022\u003ERoberta Sonnino, Professor of Sustainable Food Systems at the Centre for Environment and Sustainability, University of Surrey.\u003C\/cite\u003E\n \u003C\/footer\u003E\n\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u2018This is an important step in developing policies that recognise the complexity of food systems together with other complex systems like ecosystems, welfare, the economy and climate change,\u2019 said Roberta Sonnino, Professor of Sustainable Food Systems at the Centre for Environment and Sustainability, University of Surrey.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u2018In addition, Member States must deliver on the commitments made at the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.un.org\/en\/food-systems-summit\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E2021 UN Food Systems Summit\u003C\/a\u003E and form a vital link between global and local policy actions,\u2019 she said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cfigure role=\u0022group\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cimg alt=\u0022Roberta Sonnino, Professor of Sustainable Food Systems at the Centre for Environment and Sustainability, University of Surrey\u0022 data-entity-type=\u0022file\u0022 data-entity-uuid=\u0022bba7482c-0d28-45e8-80c5-62dd40737dac\u0022 src=\u0022\/sites\/default\/files\/hm\/IMCEUpload\/prof_roberta_sonnino.jpg\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cfigcaption class=\u0022tw-italic tw-mb-4\u0022\u003ERoberta Sonnino, Professor of Sustainable Food Systems at the Centre for Environment and Sustainability, University of Surrey\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\n\u003C\/figure\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMember States should also work closer with ordinary people to improve food systems policy making on the regional level.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESpecific measures to transform the food system vary from place to place. For example, the planning system, with its land use plans and zoning laws, could open new avenues for change.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInnovative investment schemes and business models based on the interactions between food, health and inclusion could emerge.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESustainability reforms were a big part of the new \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/info\/food-farming-fisheries\/key-policies\/common-agricultural-policy\/new-cap-2023-27_en\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ECommon Agricultural Policy 2023-2027\u003C\/a\u003E for example, while \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/info\/strategy\/priorities-2019-2024\/european-green-deal_en\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ethe European Green Deal (EGD)\u003C\/a\u003E reflects this changed approach.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe EGD plans to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. This ambition covers strategies relevant to the food sector, like the Farm to Fork Strategy and the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/environment\/strategy\/biodiversity-strategy-2030_en\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EBiodiversity strategy for 2030\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\u0022tw-text-center tw-text-blue tw-font-bold tw-text-2xl lg:tw-w-1\/2 tw-border-2 tw-border-blue tw-p-12 tw-my-8 lg:tw-m-12 lg:tw--ml-16 tw-float-left\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cspan class=\u0022tw-text-5xl tw-rotate-180\u0022\u003E\u201c\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003Cp class=\u0022tw-font-serif tw-italic\u0022\u003EThere is no \u201csilver bullet\u201d. Each country has its own distinctive food system, based on its natural resource base, climate, production patterns, eating habits and history.\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cfooter\u003E\n \u003Ccite class=\u0022tw-not-italic tw-font-normal tw-text-sm tw-text-black\u0022\u003ETom Arnold, chair of the European Commission\u2019s High Level Expert Group to assess the Need for an International Platform for Food Systems Science (IPFSS)\u003C\/cite\u003E\n \u003C\/footer\u003E\n\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENotwithstanding the current progress, it is complex work. There is no \u201csilver bullet,\u201d claims Arnold. \u2018Each country has its own distinctive food system, based on its natural resource base, climate, production patterns, eating habits and history,\u2019 he explained.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E3. What\u2019s the best way to connect top-down (global) and bottom-up (local) measures to transform food systems?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne way is for global and local initiatives to be connected at the national level. \u2018We need investment by national governments to develop the infrastructure for sustainable food systems like wholesale markets, farmers\u2019 markets, food hubs and other food distribution channels,\u2019 said Prof. Sonnino. This action would encourage cooperation between the players in the industry.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENational and regional governments also have the capability to use their regulatory and legislative powers to create a more supportive environment for transformative agendas.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\u0022tw-text-center tw-text-blue tw-font-bold tw-text-2xl lg:tw-w-1\/2 tw-border-2 tw-border-blue tw-p-12 tw-my-8 lg:tw-m-12 lg:tw--ml-16 tw-float-left\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cspan class=\u0022tw-text-5xl tw-rotate-180\u0022\u003E\u201c\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003Cp class=\u0022tw-font-serif tw-italic\u0022\u003EThe 2021 Food System Summit concluded that transformation of the global food system will require a particular focus on science, research and innovation.\r\n\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cfooter\u003E\n \u003Ccite class=\u0022tw-not-italic tw-font-normal tw-text-sm tw-text-black\u0022\u003ETom Arnold\u003C\/cite\u003E\n \u003C\/footer\u003E\n\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETargeted price, tax and advertising policies, combined with the setting of national decarbonisation targets are also necessary to address situations in which food environments are designed by market considerations only. Unfortunately, this is often the case in deprived areas.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u2018The 2021 Food System Summit concluded that transformation of the global food system will require a particular focus on science, research and innovation.\u2019 said Arnold. In keeping with the UN\u2019s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) the aim is to implement change through financing, data, governance and trade, and support healthier, more inclusive and sustainable food systems.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u2018This includes building on good practice such as indigenous food systems and engaging all people, particularly women and youth, indigenous peoples, businesses and producers,\u2019 he said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cfigure role=\u0022group\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cimg alt=\u0022Tom Arnold, chair of the European Commission\u2019s High Level Expert Group to assess the Need for an International Platform for Food Systems Science (IPFSS)\u0022 data-entity-type=\u0022file\u0022 data-entity-uuid=\u0022b3d75d8b-2957-47bd-b3f4-c9fe47ca9bd3\u0022 src=\u0022\/sites\/default\/files\/hm\/IMCEUpload\/tom_arnold1a.jpg\u0022\u003E\n\u003Cfigcaption class=\u0022tw-italic tw-mb-4\u0022\u003ETom Arnold, chair of the European Commission\u2019s High Level Expert Group to assess the Need for an International Platform for Food Systems Science (IPFSS)\u003C\/figcaption\u003E\n\u003C\/figure\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E4. Why is it difficult for cities and regions to address the relationship between food, health and inclusion?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECities and regions operate within a fragmented administrative environment, which is still dominated by historically \u201csiloed\u201d ways of working. Under such circumstances, it is difficult to develop policies that initiate and sustain change. Food system innovators often find themselves working in isolation.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile it\u2019s one thing to set in motion transformative strategies that build on the connections between food, health and inclusion, it\u2019s another thing to sustain the transformation agenda and achieve scale.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u2018To enable and support local initiatives, we urgently need to address the fractured nature of food systems across multiple vertical (global-local) and horizontal (sectoral and territorial) levels of governance,\u2019 said Prof. Sonnino.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E5. Are there any examples of European cities or regions that could act as role models for transforming food systems?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere are many examples of European cities working to make the food system healthier and more inclusive through the adoption of a \u201cplace-based\u201d approach. With its emphasis on \u201cplaces\u201d, the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/info\/research-and-innovation\/research-area\/environment\/bioeconomy\/food-systems\/food-2030_en\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EFood 2030 Research \u0026amp; Innovation programme\u003C\/a\u003E has been instrumental in helping cities builds on specific local conditions to address local needs in innovative ways. There is always a balance to be struck between different sustainability objectives at different scales.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAn important mechanism that can be employed by local government at the city level is the Food Policy Council, which actively engages citizens in local food policies and governance.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFood Policy Councils are currently well established in cities such as Vienna, Amsterdam, and Berlin, to name a few. Other cities are using their food procurement powers to develop public food systems that provide healthy food to vulnerable citizens like schoolchildren, hospital patients and the elderly residents of nursing homes. This means working with those food producers and catering services that respect the environment.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne of the best examples in this regard is Copenhagen, where the tendering process is driven by the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/sdgs.un.org\/goals\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EUN\u2019s Sustainable Development Goals\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u2018But I can\u2019t think of a single city yet that has managed to thoroughly reform its food system,\u2019 said Prof. Sonnino.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u2018Best practice examples tend to emerge within very specific areas and are, therefore, quite rare and fragmented. We currently lack examples of completely integrated food policy agendas \u2013 at the urban level and beyond,\u2019 she pointed out.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe impetus to make sustainable food systems the norm will have a positive impact on job creation and local economies. It will make local communities more self-reliant and sustainable, eventually benefiting all of us.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022tw-text-center tw-bg-bluelightest tw-p-12 tw-my-12 tw--mx-16\u0022\u003E\n \u003Ch3 class=\u0022tw-font-sans tw-font-bold tw-text-blue tw-uppercase tw-text-lg tw-mb-8\u0022\u003EGlobal coalition for food systems \u003C\/h3\u003E\n \u003Cspan class=\u0022tw-inline-block tw-w-1\/6 tw-h-1 tw-bg-blue tw-mb-8\u0022\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003Cp\u003EOn 23 March 2022, the European Commission announced that it is stepping up support for global action to transform food systems via eight Global Coalitions.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EConcerns about food security is front-of-mind in Europe and all over the world at the present moment with high prices and acute supply issues, the situation has the potential to be disastrous.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe double whammy of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine have hit at the heart of global food security and resilience. By engaging in eight global Coalitions for Action, the European Union will work together with global partners to improve food security.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe EU will actively engage with and support action on food production to improve diet and nutrition, sustainability, resilience and productivity to help mitigate and avert food crises on a global basis through the Coalitions.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn a statement, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Mariya Gabriel, said: \u201cThe scientific contribution and engagement by the Commission have been pivotal in the preparation of the Coalitions \u2026 (We have) established a high-level expert group to explore the needs and options to strengthen the international science policy interface for improved food systems governance, whose recommendations will be finalised by May 2022.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ETo learn more about the EU\u2019s role in international action to transform food systems via eight Global Coalitions, follow the link to the press release below.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/commission\/presscorner\/detail\/en\/ip_22_1971\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EFood security: Commission steps up support for global action to transform food systems via eight Global Coalitions\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ch5\u003EThe research in this article was funded by the EU. If you liked this article, please consider sharing it on social media.\u003C\/h5\u003E\u003C\/textarea\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\n \u003Cdiv id=\u0022edit-body-content--description\u0022 class=\u0022ecl-help-block description\u0022\u003E\n Please copy the above code and embed it onto your website to republish.\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cinput autocomplete=\u0022off\u0022 data-drupal-selector=\u0022form-rrulz-ufyp5fzmtikgnnx7mbr4tn195ik3s9ozjgsc8\u0022 type=\u0022hidden\u0022 name=\u0022form_build_id\u0022 value=\u0022form-RRulz_UFYp5fZmtIKGNnx7mBR4tn195IK3s9OZjgsC8\u0022 \/\u003E\n\u003Cinput data-drupal-selector=\u0022edit-modal-form-example-modal-form\u0022 type=\u0022hidden\u0022 name=\u0022form_id\u0022 value=\u0022modal_form_example_modal_form\u0022 \/\u003E\n\u003C\/form\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E","dialogOptions":{"width":"800","modal":true,"title":"Republish this content"}}]