Stakeholder Perceptions of Policy Tools in Support of Sustainable Food Consumption in Europe: Policy Implications

Nína M. Saviolidis, Gudrun Olafsdottir, Mariana Nicolau, Antonella Samoggia, Elise Huber, Laura Brimont, Matthew Gorton, David von Berlepsch, Hildigunnur Sigurdardottir, Margherita Del Prete, Cristina Fedato, Pierre-Marie Aubert and Sigurdur G. Bogason
Additional contact information
Nína M. Saviolidis: Applied Supply Chain Systems Research Group, University of Iceland, Dunhagi 5, 107 Reykjavík, Iceland
Gudrun Olafsdottir: Applied Supply Chain Systems Research Group, University of Iceland, Dunhagi 5, 107 Reykjavík, Iceland
Mariana Nicolau: Collaborating Centre on Sustainable Consumption and Production, Hagenauer Strasse 30, 42107 Wuppertal, Germany
Antonella Samoggia: Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 50, 40127 Bologna, Italy
Elise Huber: Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), 41 rue du Four, 75006 Paris, France
Laura Brimont: Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), 41 rue du Four, 75006 Paris, France
David von Berlepsch: Vlerick Business School, Ghent University, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 25, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
Hildigunnur Sigurdardottir: Markmar, Dunhagi 5, 107 Reykjavík, Iceland
Margherita Del Prete: Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 50, 40127 Bologna, Italy
Cristina Fedato: Collaborating Centre on Sustainable Consumption and Production, Hagenauer Strasse 30, 42107 Wuppertal, Germany
Pierre-Marie Aubert: Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI), 41 rue du Four, 75006 Paris, France
Sigurdur G. Bogason: Applied Supply Chain Systems Research Group, University of Iceland, Dunhagi 5, 107 Reykjavík, Iceland

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 17, 1-24

Abstract: Transitioning agri-food systems towards increased sustainability and resilience requires that attention be paid to sustainable food consumption policies. Policy-making processes often require the engagement and acceptance of key stakeholders. This study analyses stakeholders’ solutions for creating sustainable agri-food systems, through interviews with a broad range of stakeholders including food value chain actors, non-governmental organizations, governmental institutions, research institutions and academic experts. The study draws on 38 in-depth, semi-structured interviews conducted in four European countries: France, Iceland, Italy and the UK, as well as three interviews with high-level EU experts. The interviewees’ solutions were analysed according to a five-category typology of policy tools, encompassing direct activity regulations, and market-based, knowledge-based, governance and strategic policy tools. Most of the identified solutions were located in the strategic tools category, reflecting shared recognition of the need to integrate food policy to achieve long-term goals. Emerging solutions—those which were most commonly identified among the different national contexts—were then used to derive empirically-grounded and more universally applicable recommendations for the advancement of sustainable food consumption policies.

Keywords: sustainable food consumption; agri-food systems; transition; stakeholders; semi-structured interviews; policy tools (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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