An integrated approach to promote sustainable food systems via behavioral changes cross-fostering all parties involved

Introduction

GrowLIFE is a Climate and Governance Information project, aiming at fostering behavioural change throughout the food system in order to increase the share of practices that are more environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable. According to the European Environment Agency, agriculture is the fifth sector producing more greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, GrowLIFE represents a response to the European Green Deal, the European Climate Pact, and the Farm to Fork Strategy.

Integrated Approach

Only an integrated approach will allow an effective transition to a sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural system, from production to distribution and consumption. This entails fostering change in:

1. Producers
2. Policy makers
3. Consumers

Objectives

GrowLIFE will contribute to this aim by:

a) Capacitating farmers to employ sustainable agricultural practices (e.g., crop rotation, reduced pesticide use)
b) Incentivising policy makers to promote sustainability in the food sector (namely, via incentivising short food supply chains; distribution)
c) Increasing consumer awareness of the importance of a sustainable food system for the future of the planet
d) Empowering catering professionals, trend setters of food consumption, to create sustainable meals (consumption)

Implementation

This will be done in 12 municipalities spread across Portugal and employing methodologies that promote peer-to-peer knowledge transfer and multi-stakeholder discussions.

Conclusion

GrowLIFE has the potential to elicit significant change in the Portuguese food system and with it ensure a better future for us all.