Innovation can accelerate the transition towards a sustainable food system

• DOI: 10.1038/s43016-020-0074-1
• Publication Date: 2020-05-19T16:04:57Z
• Authors: Mario Herrero; Philip K. Thornton; Daniel Mason-D’Croz; Jeda Palmer; Tim G. Benton; Benjamin L. Bodirsky; Jessica R. Bogard; Andrew Hall; Bernice Lee; Karine Nyborg; Prajal Pradhan; Graham D. Bonnett; Brett A. Bryan; Bruce M. Campbell; Svend Christensen; Michael Clark; Mathew T. Cook; Imke J. M. de Boer; Chris Downs; Kanar Dizyee; Christian Folberth; Cecile M. Godde; James S. Gerber; Michael Grundy; Petr Havlik; Andrew Jarvis; Richard King; Ana Maria Lobogue...; Mauricio A. Lopes; C. Lynne McIntyre; Rosamond Naylor; Javier Navarro; Michael Obersteiner; Alejandro Parodi; Mark B. Peoples; Ilje Pikaar; Alexander Popp; Johan Rockström; Michael J. Robertson; Pete Smith; Elke Stehfest; Steve M. Swain; Hugo Valin; Mark van Wijk; Hannah H. E. van ...; Sonja Vermeulen; Joost Vervoort; Paul C. West
• Keywords: Constructive; Emerging Technologies

Future technologies and systemic innovation are critical for the profound transformation the food system needs. These innovations range from food production, land use and emissions, all the way to improved diets and waste management. Here, we identify these technologies, assess their readiness and propose eight action points that could accelerate the transition towards a more sustainable food system. We argue that the speed of innovation could be significantly increased with the appropriate incentives, regulations and social licence. These, in turn, require constructive stakeholder dialogue and clear transition pathways.