Transformative action towards regenerative food systems: A large-scale case study

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pstr.0000134
• Publication Date: 2024-11-21T18:56:13Z
• Authors: Sam J. Buckton; Ioan Fazey; Bob Doherty; Maria Bryant; Steven A. Banwart; Esther Carmen; Annie Connolly; Katherine Denby; Ian Kendrick; Bill Sharpe; Ruth N. Wade; Peter Ball; Sarah Bridle; Grace Gardner; Anthonia James; Belinda Morris; Sophie Stewart; Myles Bremner; Pippa J. Chapman; Juan Pablo Cordero; Henk Geertsema; Nicola Nixon; Eugyen Suzanne Om; Maddie Sinclair; Jan Thornton; Christopher Yap; Dave Arnott; Michelle Cain; Ulrike Ehgartner; Ben Fletcher; Jack Garry; Corinna Hawkes; Alana Kluczkovski; Rebecca Lait; Adrian Lovett; Kate E. Pickett; Melanie Reed; Nathan Atkinson; Fiona Black; Mark Blakeston; Wendy Burton; Margaret Anne Def...; Naomi Duncan; Glynn Eastwood; Ruth Everson; Angelina Frankowska; Tim Frenneux; Dave Gledhill; Sian Goodwin; Harry Holden; Helen Ingle; Allison Kane; Rebecca Newman; Christine Parry; Victoria Robertshaw; Tom Scrope; Phillippa Sellstrom; Stephanie Slater; Kim Smith; Ruth Stacey; Gary Stott; Alastair Trickett; Jessica Wilson
• Keywords: Transformative Learning

We urgently need to foster regenerative food systems that mutually reinforce human and ecological health. However, we have limited understanding of the action pathways could encourage emergence such systems. Here report on an extensive Three Horizons futures process, conducted with diverse participation from system researchers practitioners, identify core domains for transforming Yorkshire, UK, towards a future. After establishing contrast between current degenerative envisioned future system, six were identified require support enable transformation: 1) enhancing supply chain connectivity innovation hybrid business ecosystems; 2) scaling environmentally beneficial farming; 3) empowering citizens reshape demand; 4) providing trusted, accessible knowledge standards incentives; 5) supporting schools young people as drivers long-term change; 6) ensuring coordination mutual across domains. Our results highlight importance efforts cohere synergic action, ambitious visioning, addressing issues power. Overall, our study sets standard co-developing priorities futures.