Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 4 — Narrative / commentaryPeer-reviewed

Innovation can accelerate the transition towards a sustainable food system

Mario Herrero, Philip K. Thornton, Daniel Mason-D’Croz, Jeda Palmer, Tim G. Benton, Benjamin Leon Bodirsky, Jessica Bogard, Andy Hall, Bernice Lee, Karine Nyborg, Prajal Pradhan, Graham D. Bonnett, Brett A. Bryan, Bruce Campbell, Svend Christensen, Michael Clark, Mathew T. Cook, I.J.M. de Boer, Chris Downs, Kanar Dizyee, Christian Folberth, Cécile Godde, James Gerber, Michael Grundy, Peter Havlík, Andrew Jarvis, Richard King, Ana María Loboguerrero, M. A. Lopes, C. Lynne McIntyre, Rosamond L. Naylor, Javier Navarro Garcia, Michael Obersteiner, Alejandro Parodi, Mark B. Peoples, Ilje Pikaar, Alexander Popp, Johan Rockström, M. J. Robertson, Pete Smith, Elke Stehfest, Stephen M. Swain, Hugo Valin, Mark T. van Wijk, H.H.E. van Zanten, Sonja Vermeulen, Joost Vervoort, Paul West

Nature Food · 2020

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Summary

This Nature Food article, authored by a large international consortium of food systems researchers, examines how strategic innovation across production, processing, distribution and consumption can accelerate transitions towards more sustainable and productive food systems. The work synthesises evidence on technological innovations (precision agriculture, crop breeding, alternative proteins), institutional innovations (supply chain restructuring, certification schemes) and policy mechanisms, whilst acknowledging the interplay between innovation and systemic constraints. As suggested by the 2020 publication date and authorship, the paper addresses global food security and environmental sustainability imperatives within the context of climate change and resource limits.

UK applicability

The global scope and focus on innovation pathways are likely applicable to UK food system transition strategy, particularly in relation to domestic precision agriculture adoption, breeding programmes and supply chain governance. However, specific recommendations would need contextualisation to UK regulatory frameworks, farm economics and carbon accounting standards.

Key measures

Synthesis of innovation types (technological: precision agriculture, crop breeding, alternative proteins; institutional: supply chain restructuring, certification schemes) and policy levers enabling food system transition

Outcomes reported

The paper synthesises evidence on how strategic innovation across production, processing, distribution and consumption can accelerate transitions towards sustainable and productive food systems. It likely examines technological, institutional and policy innovations and their interplay with systemic constraints to food system sustainability.

Theme
Policy, governance & rights
Subject
Food & agricultural policy
Study type
Narrative Review
Study design
Narrative review
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
Global
System type
Food supply chain
DOI
10.1038/s43016-020-0074-1
Catalogue ID
BFmowc2b4w-z9kgcv

Topic tags

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