Summary
This 2022 policy commentary from researchers at the Potsdam Institute argues that the Russia-Ukraine war revealed critical structural weaknesses in global food systems, particularly dependence on specific geographic suppliers and reliance on unsustainable production practices. The authors contend that food system transformation is necessary simultaneously to address climate change, human health, and geopolitical stability. Drawing on systems modelling and nutritional epidemiology, the paper makes the case that resilience improvements require integrated policy reform across production, distribution, and consumption.
UK applicability
The UK's own food import dependencies—particularly in grains, oilseeds, and fresh produce from Eastern Europe and beyond—render these findings directly relevant to domestic food security and supply chain resilience. The paper's call for systemic transformation aligns with ongoing UK policy discussions around food strategy, net-zero agriculture, and trade diversification.
Key measures
Food system fragilities; geographic supplier concentration; vulnerability to external shocks; food security and nutritional adequacy; climate mitigation potential; equity metrics
Outcomes reported
The paper analyses how the Russia-Ukraine war exposed vulnerabilities in global food systems and identifies pathways for transformation towards greater resilience, equity, and sustainability. It examines the interconnections between food system structures, geopolitical stability, climate mitigation, and public health outcomes.
Topic tags
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