The path to transforming the food system
It is undisputed that a global transformation of the agricultural and food system is urgently needed. A report from the Food Systems Economic Commission (FSEC), which was presented in Berlin on January 29, 2024, makes it clear that this is possible and would also bring enormous economic benefits. According to a large international coalition of economists, keeping the food system as it is will cost at least $5 trillion to $10 trillion per year.
This enormous sum includes hidden costs of mitigating and managing the negative social, environmental and health consequences of global food production. According to the researchers, these act like a tax on current and future generations and hinder the urgently needed transition to a health-promoting, integrative and ecologically sustainable future.
In contrast, the costs for the required global transformation are comparatively low. Converting the systems would require costs of 200 to 500 billion dollars per year, a relatively manageable amount.
The report presents a path for successful transformation. This is possible, but not easy, especially since the old system has enormous persistence. The economists provide the most comprehensive modeling to date of the effects of two possible future scenarios for the global food system: the current path with current trends and the promising path of transformation of the food system.
According to the authors, five strategic principles are necessary for transforming the food system. These include, among other things, shifting consumption patterns towards healthy eating. In addition, financial incentives must be re-established, such as realigning state support for agriculture. But the targeted use of revenue from new taxes to support the transformation is also essential.
The FSEC is a joint initiative of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, the Food and Land Use Coalition and the EAT Foundation. The publication list includes an “all-time star ensemble” from the global economy, which, five years after the publication of the EAT-Lancet report with the recommendations for a Planetary Health Diet, now wants to focus on the private sector and economic leaders. Successful transformation through political and strategic measures is the basis, but too slow for climate protection. Private capital is therefore urgently needed. And this is money well invested.
Britta Klein, www.bzfe.de
