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Research project ENOUGH publishes scientific outcomes and political appraisals
Funded by the European Union ’ s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme , the ENOUGH project recently published deliverables consisting of a comprehensive analysis of the European food supply chain ( FSC ) and its journey towards its objective of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 .
A policy brief on recommendations to decarbonise the European FSC details the necessity of all FSC stages , from food production to waste management , to promote the phase-out of fossil fuel and global warming potential refrigerant use . In this scenario , a harmonised monitoring system is needed to develop an emissions benchmark and to design better strategies to achieve net-zero emissions .
A policy report identifies gaps along the FSC by linking existing policies to sustainable priorities . The main results show an overall synergy between sustainable food consumption priorities and existing policies . The policy report highlights that improving product labelling to inform consumers is a key process so this group can make healthier and more sustainable decisions . Nevertheless , strategies to make sustainable products more affordable are still missing , and call for a more straightforward approach . Furthermore , current policies on waste management do not present concise strategies to address food waste per se , demanding action plans to reduce food loss and to promote sustainable waste management .
A policy report about policy interventions provides an overview of current policies and finance related to the green transition . The conclusion points to climate finance as crucial to making clean energy sources and technologies more accessible . Yet , there is some divergence regarding where current investments should be allocated . Nevertheless , existing policies shall be carried out in synergy with new proposals , and financial mechanisms shall be issued in priority areas to support policy implementation .
A practice abstract brings insights into knowledge creation and governance . It highlights the importance of integrated action from multiple stakeholders to decarbonise the European FSC from farm to food waste .
Finally , a scientific article entitled Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives and Decarbonisation in the European Food Supply Chain has been accepted for publication in a special issue of the journal Frontiers in Sustainability . The paper applies an existing industrial policy framework to identify potential strategies to help achieve the needed financial means and innovation actions , while gauging political alignment across all FSC stages . The results indicate that political directionality related to the food sector should be more comprehensively tailored to account for the specificities of each stage of the FSC , and research and development projects shall likewise cover all stages . In line with that , multiple stakeholders are crucial as promoters of technology and innovation toward a green economy . Therefore , initiatives should be integrated into political discussions to promote civil awareness aligned with political guidelines .
The paper can be found here : https :// www . frontiersin . org / articles / 10.3389 / frsus . 2023.1231684 / abstract CLA
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The Research and Innovation Project ENOUGH aims to reduce GHG emissions in the EU by at least 50 % by 2050 in the EU compared to 1990 values , by implementing a zerocarbon food chain strategy .
ENOUGH is funded by the European Union ’ s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and co-ordinated by SINTEF Ocean . Visit https :// enough-emissions . eu /
SOURCE
1 . Supplied by ENOUGH
Current policies on waste management do not present concise strategies to address food waste per se
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