D4 Published development or research report or study
Reilu ruokamurros : Polkuja kestävään ja oikeudenmukaiseen ruokajärjestelmään (2022)


Kaljonen, M., Karttunen, K., Kortetmäki, T., Niemi, J., Huttunen, S., Tribaldos, T., Malu, R. S., Paalanen, L., Salminen, J., Toivonen, M., Heikkinen, M., Härkänen, T., Rinne, P., Sares-Jäske, L., Savolainen, H., Siimes, K., Tapanainen, H., Valsta, L., Virkkunen, H., . . . Saralahti, I. (2022). Reilu ruokamurros : Polkuja kestävään ja oikeudenmukaiseen ruokajärjestelmään. Suomen ympäristökeskus. Suomen ympäristökeskuksen raportteja, 38/2022. http://hdl.handle.net/10138/349713

The research was funded by Strategic Research Council at the Research Council of Finland.


JYU authors or editors


Publication details

All authors or editors: Kaljonen, Minna; Karttunen, Kaisa; Kortetmäki, Teea; Niemi, Jyrki; Huttunen, Suvi; Tribaldos, Theresa; Malu, Renato S.; Paalanen, Laura; Salminen, Jani; Toivonen, Marjaana; et al.

ISBN: 978-952-11-5519-2

eISBN: 978-952-11-5518-5

Journal or series: Suomen ympäristökeskuksen raportteja

ISSN: 1796-1718

eISSN: 1796-1726

Publication year: 2022

Number in series: 38/2022

Number of pages in the book: 138

Publisher: Suomen ympäristökeskus

Place of Publication: Helsinki

Publication country: Finland

Publication language: Finnish

Persistent website address: http://hdl.handle.net/10138/349713

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/83701


Abstract

Our food systems suffer from many intertwined sustainability problems. Problems cannot be fixed with individual technological solutions, but instead changes are needed throughout the entire food system. Given the scale of the changes, we should talk about a fundamental change in the system, that is, a food system transformation.

In this publication, we examine how the climate emissions of the food system could be reduced in Finland in a way that does not compromise food and nutrition security. We assess the implementation of climate action on different transition paths that focus on changes in land use, diets, agriculture and food technologies. We assess the effects of different transition paths on agriculture in different regions and on the nutrition of different population groups. We present the principles and criteria for a just food system transition, with the help of which the fairness effects of different transition paths can be assessed. We will also examine necessary policy measures and the views of food system actors on the fairness of different actions.

Issues related to fairness require attention on all transition paths, but with slightly different focuses. On the path of land use transition, the reduction of climate emissions in organic fields, i.e. peatlands and the opportunities for farmers to implement the required climate measures will play a key role. This challenge is not only related to distributional justice, but also requires recognition of the different situations and capabilities of the farmers. At the moment, farmers are reluctant to change the cultivation practices at the peatlands. Calls for change affect the producers' income and self-esteem. Improving perceived fairness requires paying attention to the procedural justice when planning policy measures. This can be done by involving farmers more equally in the planning of emission reduction and policy measures. Conflicting incentives must be removed. From the point of view of environmental justice, it is important that the environmental objectives set for agriculture are adhered to.

The transition path of dietary change affects the entire population. Merely following nutritional recommendations would already reduce the climate impact of Finns’ diet. Socioeconomic studies show that educated urban women are ahead of the curve in moving towards a more sustainable diet. It is easier for them to follow the path of a significant dietary change, while for some other populations, following a smaller dietary change path may be easier. It is important to develop the capabilities, knowledge, cooking habits and cultural meanings required for dietary changes at the level of the entire population. At the same time, it is important to monitor the nutrition and vulnerability of different population groups when changing the price of food and other necessities in order to enable social policies to respond to changes. Diversifying food discourse is important in defusing the antagonistic attitudes associated with dietary change.

In technological change, the resources and know-how of different actors are not evenly distributed at the moment. Small start-ups and strong players in the food industry play a very different role in the development of food technology. Profitability problems have a key impact on the ability of farms to adopt new technologies or to switch production. Equal opportunities for different actors to participate in innovation must be developed as part of a fair innovation policy.

The demands for changes in the food system bring perceived injustices to the surface, and there is a risk that the experiences will polarise. The principles and criteria of the fair food transition help to specify the fairness effects of sustainability measures and to weigh the experiences and claims of different groups of actors. Solutions to injustices must be actively sought, at the same time specifying the division of labour between the climate, agricultural and social policies. Supporting the capacity for change is the most effective policy of fairness.


Keywords: sustainable development; innovations; agriculture; food production; justice; sustainable consumption; diets; farms; farmers; climate policy

Free keywords: sustainable food system; sustainability transition; just transition


Contributing organizations


Related projects


Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2022


Last updated on 2024-22-04 at 21:20