Exploring Sustainability Implications of Transitions to Agroecology: a Transdisciplinary Perspective
Explorer les implications des transitions vers l'agroécologie pour la durabilité : une perspective transdisciplinaire
Auswirkungen des Agrarökologischen Wandels auf die Nachhaltigkeit: eine transdisziplinäre Sichtweise
Gerald Schwarz, Francesco Vanni, David Miller, Janne Helin, Jaroslav Pražan, Fabrizio Albanito, Mihaela Fratila, Francesco Galioto, Oriana Gava, Katherine Irvine, Jan Landert, Alba Linares Quero, Andreas Mayer, Daniel Monteleone, Adrian Muller, Elin Röös, Alexandra Smyrniotopoulou, Audrey Vincent, George Vlahos, Andis Zīlāns
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引用次数: 4
Abstract
Successful transitions to agroecology require shared understanding of the sustainability implications of transitions for food systems. To gain such understanding, a transdisciplinary approach is increasingly called for by funders, end users of research and scientists. Transdisciplinary processes were used in the UNISECO project to develop strategic pathways that enable transitions to agroecology in case studies across Europe. These strategic pathways were combined with scenarios of EU food systems in 2050, in which combinations of agroecological farming and food consumption practices were assessed. These were then reviewed considering selected UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a reference for discussing the sustainability implications of transitions to agroecology. Sustainability implications were identified for several SDGs including Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Quality Education (SDG 4), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), Climate Action (SDG 13) and Life on Land (SDG 15). Key factors contributing to the sustainability of transitions to agroecology are: i) mature social capital and improved farmer knowledge of the benefits of agroecological practices; ii) strengthened collaborative actions and collective institutions to increase negotiating power within the value-chain; and, iii) changes in consumer behaviour and diets. These factors highlight the need for a food system perspective in transitions to agroecology and supporting policies. This in turn highlights the meaningful role of transdisciplinary research in strengthening the sustainability of European food systems.
期刊介绍:
EuroChoices is a full colour, peer reviewed, outreach journal of topical European agri-food and rural resource issues, published three times a year in April, August and December. Its main aim is to bring current research and policy deliberations on agri-food and rural resource issues to a wide readership, both technical & non-technical. The need for this is clear - there are great changes afoot in the European and global agri-food industries and rural areas, which are of enormous impact and concern to society. The issues which underlie present deliberations in the policy and private sectors are complex and, until now, normally expressed in impenetrable technical language.