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Food Systems for Human and Planetary Health: Economic Perspectives and Challenges

Author

Listed:
  • Shenggen Fan

    (College of Economics and Management, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Derek Headey

    (International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Washington, DC 20005, USA)

  • Christopher Rue

    (Public Health Institute (PHI), Oakland, California 94607, USA)

  • Timothy Thomas

    (International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Washington, DC 20005, USA)

Abstract

Food systems are currently facing unprecedented challenges. More than 690 million people still suffer hunger while climate change, rapid depletion of natural resources, and loss of biodiversity further threaten future food systems. Influential global reports emphasize the need for fundamental transformations of food systems for human and planetary health, but few incorporate economic considerations. This review adopts an economic lens to assessing potential transitions to ideal food systems that are productive, sustainable, nutritious, resilient, and inclusive. Our findings show that new technologies, policies, institutions, and behavior changes can leverage synergies for achieving multiple food system targets, but rigorous economic analysis is needed to further analyze trade-offs and to overcome complex behavioral, institutional, and political barriers. This review also points to important knowledge gaps that economists and other social scientists must address to contribute to the radical transformation of food systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Shenggen Fan & Derek Headey & Christopher Rue & Timothy Thomas, 2021. "Food Systems for Human and Planetary Health: Economic Perspectives and Challenges," Annual Review of Resource Economics, Annual Reviews, vol. 13(1), pages 131-156, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:anr:reseco:v:13:y:2021:p:131-156
    DOI: 10.1146/annurev-resource-101520-081337
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Guthrie, Graeme, 2024. "Farm debt and the over-exploitation of natural capital," Resource and Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    2. Marta Ros-Baró & Patricia Casas-Agustench & Diana Alícia Díaz-Rizzolo & Laura Batlle-Bayer & Ferran Adrià-Acosta & Alícia Aguilar-Martínez & Francesc-Xavier Medina & Montserrat Pujolà & Anna Bach-Faig, 2022. "Edible Insect Consumption for Human and Planetary Health: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-29, September.
    3. Yi Luo & Dong Huang & Fangfang Cao, 2022. "The Impact of Family Members Serving as Village Cadres on Rural Household Food Waste: Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-14, February.
    4. Anderson, Kym, 2022. "Trade-related food policies in a more volatile climate and trade environment," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).
    5. Dong, Xuemei & Jiang, Baichen & Zeng, Hui & Kassoh, Fallah Samuel, 2022. "Impact of trust and knowledge in the food chain on motivation-behavior gap in green consumption," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    6. Kym Anderson & Anna Strutt, 2023. "From re-instrumenting to re-purposing farm support policies," Departmental Working Papers 2023-04, The Australian National University, Arndt-Corden Department of Economics.
    7. Chengjun Wang & Mengshan Lv & Lei Li, 2023. "Towards a Win-Win Solution for Dietary Health and Carbon Reduction—Evidence from the Yangtze River Delta in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-15, February.
    8. Li Jia & Jing Zhang & Guanghua Qiao, 2022. "Scale and Environmental Impacts of Food Loss and Waste in China—A Material Flow Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-21, December.
    9. Ehsani, Afsaneh & Jaghdani, Tinoush Jamali & Götz, Linde, 2022. "Red Meat Consumption as a Benchmark for Food Security During Crises: Case Study of Meat Crisis and Covid-19 Pandemic in Iran," 62nd Annual Conference, Stuttgart, Germany, September 7-9, 2022 329614, German Association of Agricultural Economists (GEWISOLA).
    10. Pauw, Karl & Ecker, Olivier & Thurlow, James & Comstock, Andrew R., 2023. "Measuring changes in diet deprivation: New indicators and methods," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).
    11. Kym Anderson, 2021. "Food policy in a more volatile climate and trade environment," Departmental Working Papers 2021-25, The Australian National University, Arndt-Corden Department of Economics.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    food systems; sustainability; nutrition; resilience; economics perspectives;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F01 - International Economics - - General - - - Global Outlook
    • Q01 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General - - - Sustainable Development
    • Q18 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Policy; Food Policy; Animal Welfare Policy

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