Policy mix for the sustainable protein transition in Austria - Addressing repercussions of regime shifts as a prerequisite for acceleration

Abstract

The sustainable protein transition within a broader food system transition currently lacks a consistent and coherent policy approach. Policies related to protein production are not aligned with consumption-based policies and are embedded in different jurisdictions. Exemplified by the case of Austria, this study aims to assess the current policy mix and explore how it could be designed to support a sustainable protein transition. We apply the six policy intervention points framework to identify gaps and complement it with the analytical characteristics in/coherence, in/consistency. Results show that the lack of regime destabilising measures, such as targeting reduced meat consumption, is a significant gap in the current policy mix. We see the failure to address the repercussions of regime shifts as the root cause blocking further regime destabilisation. Furthermore, we suggest integrating the element of sequences of intervention points to the framework for future research.