WP1 – State of the art on the governance

WP1. State of the art on the governance of low carbon and resource efficient food systems   WP1 – F4S – description (PDF ~ 200ko)

 Task 1.1. Review of the literature on institutional tools and governance mechanisms for low carbon and resource efficient food systems (CPDR-BIOECONOMICS)

There exists a rich literature on the governance of transition in general, and on the governance of transition towards low-carbon societies in particular (for instance, Hourcade and Crassous 2008; Ekins et al., 2011). An emerging literature now also addresses the transition of food systems specifically (see for instance Poppe et al., 2009; van Latesteijn and Andeweg, 2011; Vellema, 2011; Viljoen and Wiskerke, 2012; Spaargaren et al., 2012; Elzen B. et al. 2012; Coudel et al. 2012), some of which from the researchers involved in this project (such as Ang et al. 2011).  We propose to prepare a literature review focused on (i) the interactions between technological innovations and socio-economic context, (ii) the role of actors’ motivations, and (iii) the policy tools that are used in transitions, and how they relate to (i) and (ii).

 Task.1.2. Review of legal and policy frameworks applicable to food systems in Belgium (CPDR-CEB)

This task will consist in mapping the most important legal and policy frameworks that apply to the food chains in Belgium, « from farm to fork ». It will involve a description of the regulations and policies pertaining to production (seed regulations, environmental standards applicable to the use of pesticides and fertilizers, incentives under the Common Agricultural Policy), to processing, and to retail (including Regulation (EC) 1221/2008 establishing the standard import values for determining the entry price of certain fruit and vegetables, as modified by EU Regulation 543/2011 (as such marketing standards on fruits and vegetable have a major impact on throwing away of non-standard fruit and vegetables)); rules concerning the labelling of food products, for instance for organic agriculture or to provide information about environmental impacts, including carbon footprint (see for instance Regulation (EC) 66/2010 on the EU ecolabel); land use regulations and rules related to land planning, insofar as this may influence the possibility for urban agriculture to emerge as well as the organization of farmers’ markets or other means of ensuring adequate access to food for certain categories of consumers).  This mapping will also include a survey of the rules concerning public procurement, thus influencing the sourcing policies of schools or public administrations. Finally, we will examine voluntary initiatives from the main actors of the food chain, in particular through their representative organizations such as FEVIA (Federation of the Food Industry).  Considered together, these various components of the regulatory and policy framework define the context in which actors operate in the food systems in Belgium, and they may facilitate, or instead impede, innovations towards the transition to sustainable food systems. We will not attempt to provide a detailed or exhaustive description: this mapping will, however, help us identify these impacts.

*For the reference of the literature, please see the global project description available on the website