Food Unfolded

Rising temperatures and unpredictable weather events are severely impacting agricultural production around the world, exposing the fragility and vulnerability of our food systems. Over the past 30 years, farmers have witnessed decreasing crop yields that require larger areas to farm. Not only does this increase the price of food commodities, but it also contributes to land degradation, water scarcity, and biodiversity loss. 

On the other side of food production is food consumption. At present, the practices of widespread plastic packaging, excessive food waste and diets high in meat demonstrate a food system incompatible with a 1.5°C future. These trends will only be amplified by a growing world population, adding stress to our already-strained global supply chains.

According to a UN-backed study, more than one-third of human-induced global greenhouse gas emissions can be attributed to the way we produce, process and package food. Driving down these emissions in our food system will require an overhaul in our behavioural changes as well as global trade and production patterns. 

Reforming our food systems is critical to tackling the climate emergency and boosting global health. A multi-stakeholder approach is needed to get there, including the support of farmers, scientific bodies, international organisations, and the private and public sectors. But new technologies can help speed the transition even faster! 

Food meets innovation

Infusing cleantech innovations into different points of the food system can help increase climate resilience and food security. EIT Climate-KIC has developed a suite of initiatives with systemic impact for fighting food waste and improving food supply chains:

1. The EIT Climate-KIC Resilient Food Systems and Diet deep demonstration is working to tackle food production, distribution and consumption with a combination of problem-owners in Nordic countries and others – from meat-industry leaders committed to introducing alternative proteins, food retailers and national governments. 

2. Food challenges are always present at Climathon, an EIT Climate-KIC programme uniting citizens to co-create ideas for local climate issues. Oftentimes, these ideas evolve into full-fledged businesses such as Juicy Marbles, an alternative meat company specialised in textured plant proteins, and Green Bytes, a tech start-up with the mission to reduce restaurant food waste through artificial intelligence.

3. Shifting Urban Diets is a programme funded by Climate-KIC, working with the City of Copenhagen and partners to translate the findings of the EAT-Lancet Commission on Food, Planet, Health into local action and interventions. It enables cities to set smarter and more ambitious food system targets with greater accountability and measurable benefits to climate, environment, public health, and societal well-being. 

Taking action

When it comes to taking personal action, citizens have more power than they think. Making simple lifestyle changes can help reduce food waste and support a more sustainable planet. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) advises the following:

1. Swap animal protein for more plant-based proteins: tofu, lentils, chickpeas, ect.

2. When buying foods, avoid excessive packaging and take your own produce bags.

3. Opt for locally produced foods, seek out local farmers and markets that offer sustainable produce; eat what is seasonally available.

4. Find out what’s available in your neighbourhood and advocate for communal composting and organic waste processing solutions.