Project
Navigating clashing ideas about an EU food system transition (PhD project – Tom Kiel)
The EU food system is confronted with sustainability and health challenges to such an extent that the question has become what societies can still afford to eat now, and in the future. The aim of this PhD project is to find conditions under which key actors in the food system can start interacting in new ways so that they support increasingly healthy and sustainable dietary practices.
Background
From a sustainability perspective, solutions have to be implemented in order to prevent future catastrophe. Scientists from a variety of disciplines have already proposed a host of solutions for these problems. But a political struggle over what solutions should be implemented is likely to occur, because various groups will have different ideas about what the most suitable solutions will be.
It is clear from science that diets rich in animal protein require the most resources, and that a shift to more plant-based diets would entail the largest positive environmental impact. Still, policy proposals aimed at reduction of meat consumption have to this date been relatively ineffective because they trigger contestation in large groups of people. Therefore this PhD research aims to contribute to the existing body of literature by taking into account both impacts of policy proposals, and feasibility of those proposals with regard to diverging ideologies. Ultimately the aim is to find a set of policy interventions that is supported by a critical mass of stakeholders, so that they will contribute to changes in the institutional landscape and thereby entice others to change their dietary practices.
Description
The objective of this research is to advance understanding of transition theory in navigating a green transition in the EU food system. Recommendations can be given for legitimate and effective policy interventions by finding conditions under which key stakeholders can switch to a new pattern of interactions.
