Options for keeping the food system within environmental limits
The food system is a major driver of climate change, changes in land use, depletion of freshwater resources, and pollution of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems through excessive nitrogen and phosphorus inputs. Here we show that between 2010 and 2050, as a result of expected changes in population and income levels,…
Metrics, models and foresight for European sustainable food and nutrition security: The vision of the SUSFANS project
This paper defines the research agenda of the SUSFANS project. It aims to contribute to balanced and encompassing views on how to strengthen food and nutrition security outcomes in the EU and how to improve the performance of the food system in the EU from the perspective of social, environmental…
Income, consumer preferences, and the future of livestock-derived food demand
In recent decades there has been a sustained and substantial shift in human diets across the globe towards including more livestock-derived foods. Continuing debates scrutinize how these dietary shifts affect human health, the natural environment, and livelihoods. However, amidst these debates there remain unanswered questions about how demand for livestock-derived…
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Modelling environmental and socio-economic trade-offs associated with land-sparing and land-sharing approaches to oil palm expansion
The effectiveness of land-sharing and land-sparing approaches has been widely debated. Yet, few studies quantify the environmental and socio-economic outcomes of these approaches within a real-world landscape. Indonesia’s plans to increase its palm oil production present an opportunity to investigate the potential environmental and socio-economic implications of the land-sharing and…
Health and nutritional aspects of sustainable diet strategies and their association with environmental impacts: a global modelling analysis with country-level detail
Summary Background Sustainable diets are intended to address the increasing health and environmental concerns related to food production and consumption. Although many candidates for sustainable diets have emerged, a consistent and joint environmental and health analysis of these diets has not been done at a regional level. Using an integrated…
The impact of organic farming on food security in a regional and global perspective.
Abstract Following an overview of existing global food supply and security projections, this chapter examines under what circumstances and to what extent organic farming is a beneficial solution to food insecurity and low agricultural productivity. It also explores the possible consequences of a high percentage of organic farming in…
Food Security, Farming, and Climate Change to 2050: Scenarios, Results, Policy Options
As the global population grows and incomes in poor countries rise, so too, will the demand for food, placing additional pressure on sustainable food production. Climate change adds a further challenge, as changes in temperature and precipitation threaten agricultural productivity and the capacity to feed the world’s population. This study…
Livestock Futures to 2020: How Will They Shape Food, Environmental, Health, and Global Security?
Livestock production is one of the main human activities. As incomes grow in middle and even low income countries, demand for livestock products is booming, with important benefits and risks for food security, human welfare, and global security. Positively, livestock are sources of income, savings, food, fuel, and transport for…
The Future of Animal Source Food: Rising demands in Africa
As the population grows in Africa, animal products are in high demand. By 2050, meat demand is expected to quadruple, milk demand triple, and fish demand to increase by 30%. On the production side, poultry represents the frontrunner in West Africa. East Africa, traditionally the largest consumer of milk, is…
The Future of Cereals in Subsaharan Africa: Making more, better through sustainable intensification
Cereals account for 50% of the total calories and crop-land in SubSaharan Africa (SSA). Demand for cereals, including maize, wheat, millet, rice and sorghum, is expected to triple by 2050 as the population rapidly grows. To ensure future food security, yields must reach 80% of their potential, while they currently…
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