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Discursive transformations within the food system towards sustainability: climate change and dairy

Author

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  • Minna Mikkola
  • Helmi Risku-Norja

Abstract

Transformation towards more sustainable food systems, including combating climate change, has been a persistent political goal. As dairy is responsible for a large share of greenhouse gas emissions its substitution by plant-based milk products becomes an ecologically grounded but economically and culturally challenging vision. This paper looks into the imaginative transformation of the food system, analysing emerging sustainable solutions to ecological problems as discursive constructs. The paper explored food expert focus groups' discussions about greenhouse gas emission information regarding three animal-based and two plant-based milk products. 'Market discourse' looked for individually perceived benefits and presented rather weak coordination towards sustainability. 'Sustainability discourse' highlighted the systemic change by extensive coordination of heterogeneous mobilised networks. 'Bioregion discourse' focused foremost on justification of regional food production. The results suggest that some support exists for determined 'sustainabilisation'. However, considering the discursive orientations' mutual alignment in policy formulations may best promote sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Minna Mikkola & Helmi Risku-Norja, 2014. "Discursive transformations within the food system towards sustainability: climate change and dairy," International Journal of Sustainable Development, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 17(1), pages 62-77.
    • Handle: RePEc:ids:ijsusd:v:17:y:2014:i:1:p:62-77
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    Cited by:

    1. Annika Carlsson Kanyama & Björn Hedin & Cecilia Katzeff, 2021. "Differences in Environmental Impact between Plant-Based Alternatives to Dairy and Dairy Products: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-16, November.
    2. Mikkola, Minna, 2015. "Business Concept as a Relational Message: Supermarket vs Independent Grocery as Competitors for Sustainability," International Journal on Food System Dynamics, International Center for Management, Communication, and Research, vol. 6(4), pages 1-11, November.

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