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Simon WJ, Hijbeek R, Frehner A, Cardinaals R, Talsma EF, van Zanten HHE. Circular food system approaches can support current European protein intake levels while reducing land use and greenhouse gas emissions. NATURE FOOD 2024; 5:402-412. [PMID: 38806686 PMCID: PMC11132985 DOI: 10.1038/s43016-024-00975-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Protein transition and circular food system transition are two proposed strategies for supporting food system sustainability. Here we model animal-sourced protein to plant-sourced protein ratios within a European circular food system, finding that maintaining the current animal-plant protein share while redesigning the system with circular principles resulted in the largest relative reduction of 44% in land use and 70% in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared with the current food system. Shifting from a 60:40 to a 40:60 ratio of animal-sourced proteins to plant-sourced proteins yielded a 60% reduction in land use and an 81% GHG emission reduction, while supporting nutritionally adequate diets. Differences between current and recommended total protein intake did not substantially impact minimal land use and GHG emissions. Micronutrient inadequacies occurred with less than 18 g animal protein per capita per day. Redesigning the food system varied depending on whether land use or GHG emissions were reduced-highlighting the need for a food system approach when designing policies to enhance human and planetary health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfram J Simon
- Farming Systems Ecology Group, Department of Plant Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Renske Hijbeek
- Plant Production Systems Group, Department of Plant Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Anita Frehner
- Department of Food System Sciences, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Frick, Switzerland
| | - Renee Cardinaals
- Farming Systems Ecology Group, Department of Plant Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Elise F Talsma
- Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Department of Agrotechnology and Food Sciences Group, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Hannah H E van Zanten
- Farming Systems Ecology Group, Department of Plant Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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van der Wiel BZ, Caspersen L, Whitney C, van Middelaar C, Weijma J, Wichern F. Participatory modelling of scenarios to restore nitrogen cycles in a nutrient-saturated area. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 919:170335. [PMID: 38272076 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
This paper aims to find socially acceptable solutions of circularity as measure to reduce nitrogen (N) losses and prevent environmental damage by combining participatory modelling and scenario Substance Flow Analyses (SFA). A local perspective was taken on the agro-food-waste system in the animal production-dominated German district Cleves. Three scenarios were programmed as Monte Carlo simulation of SFA with stakeholder input regarding crop allocation, livestock composition, livestock reduction, and manure allocation following the elimination of feed imports. The three scenarios either utilized the unaltered stakeholder input (PS), altered crop allocation to satisfy the demand for feed (CBS), or adjusted the livestock numbers to match the locally available feed (LBS). In the reference year (2020) agricultural losses amounted to 68 kg N year-1 ha-1 agricultural land and 116 kg N in feed was imported year-1 ha-1 agricultural land. In the PS feed import elimination led to deficits in feed availability. The LBS showed the biggest reduction of agricultural N losses and improved N use efficiency (+6 %), however agricultural losses were still high (50 kg N year-1 ha-1 agricultural land). The results show a limited effect of feed import elimination on N losses if no further measures are taken, such as reduced consumption of animal-based products. Further, the study shows that it is important to improve stakeholders' knowledge about approaches to circular agro-food-waste systems. The discrepancy between stakeholder visions and N circularity provide policy makers with the recommendation to improve stakeholders' visions of a circular agro-food-waste system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernou Zoë van der Wiel
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, Marie-Curie-Straße 1, 47533 Kleve, Germany; Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, Bornse Weilanden 9, 6708 WG Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Lars Caspersen
- Department of Horticultural Sciences, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Auf dem Hügel 6, 53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Cory Whitney
- Department of Horticultural Sciences, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Auf dem Hügel 6, 53121 Bonn, Germany
| | - Corina van Middelaar
- Animal Production Systems, Wageningen University & Research, De Elst 1, 6708 WD Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Jan Weijma
- Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, Bornse Weilanden 9, 6708 WG Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Florian Wichern
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, Marie-Curie-Straße 1, 47533 Kleve, Germany
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van Selm B, van Zanten HHE, Hijbeek R, van Middelaar CE, Schop M, van Ittersum MK, de Boer IJM. Interventions to increase circularity and reduce environmental impacts in food systems. AMBIO 2024; 53:359-375. [PMID: 37973704 PMCID: PMC10837400 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-023-01953-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Applying specific circularity interventions to the food system may have environmental benefits. Using an iterative linear food system optimisation model (FOODSOM), we assess how changes in human diets, imports and exports, and the utilisation of waste streams impact land use and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). After including these circularity principles, land use and GHG emissions were on average 40% and 68% lower than in the current food system, primarily driven by a reduction in production volumes and a shift towards feeding the domestic population. Shifting from the current diet to a circular diet decreased land use with 43% and GHG emissions with 52%. Allowing up to half of each nutrient in the human diet to be imported, while balancing imports with equal exports in terms of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, also decreased land use (up to 34%) and GHG emissions (up to 26%) compared to no imported food. Our findings show that circularity interventions should not be implemented mutually exclusively; by combining a circular diet with imported food and fully utilising waste streams, the lowest land use and GHG emissions can be realised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin van Selm
- Animal Production Systems Group, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
- Plant Production Systems Group, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 430, 6700 AK, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Hannah H E van Zanten
- Farming Systems Ecology Group, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 430, 6700 AK, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Renske Hijbeek
- Plant Production Systems Group, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 430, 6700 AK, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Corina E van Middelaar
- Animal Production Systems Group, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Marijke Schop
- Animal Production Systems Group, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- R&D monogastrics, Agrifirm, Landgoedlaan 20, 7325 AW, Apeldoorn, The Netherlands
| | - Martin K van Ittersum
- Plant Production Systems Group, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 430, 6700 AK, Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Department of Crop Production Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 75007, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Imke J M de Boer
- Animal Production Systems Group, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Herzon I, Mazac R, Erkkola M, Garnett T, Hansson H, Kaljonen M, Kortetmäki T, Lonkila A, Jonell M, Niva M, Pajari AM, Tribaldos T, Toivonen M, Tuomisto HL, Koppelmäki K, Röös E. A rebalanced discussion of the roles of livestock in society. NATURE FOOD 2023; 4:926-927. [PMID: 37821624 DOI: 10.1038/s43016-023-00866-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Irina Herzon
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
- University of Helsinki, Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Rachel Mazac
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- University of Helsinki, Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science, Helsinki, Finland
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maijaliisa Erkkola
- Department of Food and Nutrition, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tara Garnett
- Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Helena Hansson
- Department of Economics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Teea Kortetmäki
- Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | | | - Malin Jonell
- Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Global Economic Dynamics and the Biosphere, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden
- Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics, Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mari Niva
- Department of Economics and Management, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anne-Maria Pajari
- Department of Food and Nutrition, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Theresa Tribaldos
- Centre for Development and Environment, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Hanna L Tuomisto
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- University of Helsinki, Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science, Helsinki, Finland
- Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kari Koppelmäki
- Ruralia Institute, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Elin Röös
- Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Science, Uppsala, Sweden
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van Zanten HHE, Simon W, van Selm B, Wacker J, Maindl TI, Frehner A, Hijbeek R, van Ittersum MK, Herrero M. Circularity in Europe strengthens the sustainability of the global food system. NATURE FOOD 2023; 4:320-330. [PMID: 37117548 PMCID: PMC10154194 DOI: 10.1038/s43016-023-00734-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
Redesigning the European food system on the basis of circularity principles could bring environmental benefits for Europe and the world. Here we deploy a biophysical optimization model to explore the effects of adopting three circularity scenarios in the European Union (EU)27 + UK. We calculate a potential reduction of 71% in agricultural land use and 29% per capita in agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, while producing enough healthy food within a self-sufficient European food system. Under global food shortages, savings in agricultural land could be used to feed an additional 767 million people outside the EU (+149%), while reducing per capita greenhouse gas emissions by 38% but increasing overall emissions by 55% due to the increased population served. Transitioning the EU's food system towards circularity implies sequential changes among all its components and has great potential to safeguard human and planetary health.
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Affiliation(s)
- H H E van Zanten
- Farming Systems Ecology Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
- Department of Global Development, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
| | - W Simon
- Farming Systems Ecology Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
- Plant Production Systems Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - B van Selm
- Plant Production Systems Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
- Animal Production Systems Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - J Wacker
- Farming Systems Ecology Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - T I Maindl
- SDB Science-driven Business Ltd, Larnaca, Cyprus
| | - A Frehner
- Department of Food System Sciences, Research Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Frick, Switzerland
| | - R Hijbeek
- Plant Production Systems Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - M K van Ittersum
- Plant Production Systems Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - M Herrero
- Department of Global Development, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
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Beal T, Gardner CD, Herrero M, Iannotti LL, Merbold L, Nordhagen S, Mottet A. Friend or Foe? The Role of Animal-Source Foods in Healthy and Environmentally Sustainable Diets. J Nutr 2023; 153:409-425. [PMID: 36894234 DOI: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2022.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Scientific and political discussions around the role of animal-source foods (ASFs) in healthy and environmentally sustainable diets are often polarizing. To bring clarity to this important topic, we critically reviewed the evidence on the health and environmental benefits and risks of ASFs, focusing on primary trade-offs and tensions, and summarized the evidence on alternative proteins and protein-rich foods. ASFs are rich in bioavailable nutrients commonly lacking globally and can make important contributions to food and nutrition security. Many populations in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia could benefit from increased consumption of ASFs through improved nutrient intakes and reduced undernutrition. Where consumption is high, processed meat should be limited, and red meat and saturated fat should be moderated to lower noncommunicable disease risk-this could also have cobenefits for environmental sustainability. ASF production generally has a large environmental impact; yet, when produced at the appropriate scale and in accordance with local ecosystems and contexts, ASFs can play an important role in circular and diverse agroecosystems that, in certain circumstances, can help restore biodiversity and degraded land and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from food production. The amount and type of ASF that is healthy and environmentally sustainable will depend on the local context and health priorities and will change over time as populations develop, nutritional concerns evolve, and alternative foods from new technologies become more available and acceptable. Efforts by governments and civil society organizations to increase or decrease ASF consumption should be considered in light of the nutritional and environmental needs and risks in the local context and, importantly, integrally involve the local stakeholders impacted by any changes. Policies, programs, and incentives are needed to ensure best practices in production, curb excess consumption where high, and sustainably increase consumption where low.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ty Beal
- Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, Washington, DC, USA; Institute for Social, Behavioral and Economic Research, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA.
| | - Christopher D Gardner
- Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Mario Herrero
- Department of Global Development and Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | | | - Lutz Merbold
- Integrative Agroecology Group, Agroscope, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Anne Mottet
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy
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Krzywonos M, Piwowar-Sulej K. Plant-Based Innovations for the Transition to Sustainability: A Bibliometric and in-Depth Content Analysis. Foods 2022; 11:foods11193137. [PMID: 36230212 PMCID: PMC9561981 DOI: 10.3390/foods11193137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Plants maintain the ecological equilibrium of the earth and stabilize the ecosystem. Today, traditional commodities and new value-added markets can be served simultaneously. There is significant biosource and bioprocess innovation for biobased industrial products. Furthermore, plant-based innovation is associated with the transition to sustainability. This study performed a bibliometric and in-depth content analysis to review plant-based innovations in the research field between 1995 and 2022. A set of 313 articles was identified from the Scopus and Web of Science databases. Different analytical scientometric tools (topic mapping and overlay visualization networks) were used to analyze 124 articles; the most influential countries, institutions, authors, journals and articles were identified. Through in-depth studies, based on the grounded theory approach, five leading research areas related to plant-based innovation were determined: (1) agricultural/environmental innovation, (2) plant-based food or feed innovation, (3) innovation within the medical/pharmaceutical research area, (4) technology-related innovation and (5) economic/business aspects of plant-based innovations. Future research directions include exploring less examined and new topics, such as the sustainability implications of incorporating various plant-based foods and Industry 4.0 in plant-based innovation, and linking and developing findings from different research areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Krzywonos
- Department of Process Management, Wrocław University of Economics and Business, Komandorska 118/120, 53-345 Wrocław, Poland
- Correspondence:
| | - Katarzyna Piwowar-Sulej
- Department of Labor, Capital and Innovation, Wrocław University of Economics and Business, Komandorska 118/120, 53-345 Wrocław, Poland
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