Summary
This analysis uses integrated economic, environmental, and health modelling to evaluate global agricultural subsidy reform options. The findings demonstrate that redirecting up to half of agricultural subsidies towards nutritionally and environmentally beneficial crops—combined with more equitable global distribution of support—could simultaneously reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve population health outcomes, and maintain or enhance economic welfare. The work suggests that subsidy reform aligned with health and climate objectives is economically viable and supports transitions towards sustainable food systems.
UK applicability
The UK, as both a subsidy-providing nation (historically through CAP, now through domestic schemes) and a food-importing country, could apply these principles to domestic agricultural support policy and trade negotiations. However, implementation would require alignment with post-Brexit agricultural policies and consideration of UK-specific production capacities and regional farm economics.
Key measures
Greenhouse gas emissions reductions; population health improvements; economic welfare outcomes; subsidy repurposing allocation (up to 50%); global subsidy distribution equity
Outcomes reported
The study modelled the effects of various agricultural subsidy reform options on greenhouse gas emissions, population health, and economic welfare using an integrated assessment framework. It identified reform pathways, including repurposing up to half of subsidies towards fruits, vegetables and horticultural products, that could reduce emissions and improve health without reducing economic welfare.
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