Transformative action towards regenerative food systems: A large-scale case study
We urgently need to foster regenerative food systems that mutually reinforce human and ecological health. However, we have limited understanding of the action pathways that could encourage the emergence of such systems. Here we report on an extensive Three Horizons futures process, conducted with diverse participation from food system researchers and practitioners, to identify core domains of action for transforming the food system of Yorkshire, UK, towards a regenerative future. After establishing the contrast between the current degenerative and envisioned future regenerative food system, six core action domains were identified that require support to enable transformation: 1) enhancing supply chain connectivity and innovation to support diverse hybrid business ecosystems; 2) scaling environmentally beneficial and regenerative farming; 3) empowering citizens to reshape food demand; 4) providing trusted, accessible knowledge support for standards and incentives; 5) supporting schools and young people as drivers of long-term change; and 6) ensuring coordination and mutual support across domains. Our results highlight the importance of efforts to cohere synergic action, ambitious visioning, and addressing issues of power. Overall, our study sets an ambitious standard for co-developing action priorities to encourage regenerative futures.
Authors
- Peter Ball (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1256-9339)
- J. Cordero (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6625-7656)
- Raymond C. Everson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4894-963X)
- Wendy Burton (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7885-5971)
- Christopher Yap (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8629-2360)
- Stephanie Slater (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9817-3687)
- Melanie Reed
- Sophie Stewart
- Ioan Fazey (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1539-9179)
- Ulrike Ehgartner (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3346-5720)
- Ian Kendrick (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1664-0662)
- Helen Ingle
- Steven A. Banwart (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7223-6678)
- Allison Kane
- Sam J. Buckton (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7467-9998)
- Kate E. Pickett (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8066-8507)
- Esther Carmen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6553-3786)
- Gregory L. Eastwood
- Bob Doherty (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6724-7065)
- Sarah Bridle (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0128-1006)
- Michelle Cain (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2062-6556)
- Jack Garry (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8938-6859)
- H.G. Geertsema
- Eugyen Suzanne (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6073-1919)
- Corinna Hawkes (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5091-878X)
- Katherine Denby (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7857-6814)
- Anthonia James
- Alana Kluczkovski (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6462-6801)
- Rebecca Lait
- Maria Bryant (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7690-4098)
- Angelina Frankowska
- R. Greg Stacey (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4496-8131)
- J. A. Thornton (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9886-9323)
- Bill Sharpe
- Pippa J. Chapman (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0438-6855)
- Margaret Anne Defeyter (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2808-523X)
- Annie Connolly
- Fiona Black
- G. Stott
- Ruth N. Wade (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9572-8990)
- Maddie Sinclair (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0960-288X)
- Jessica Wilson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2966-0398)
- Nicola Nixon (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6245-3513)
- Myles Bremner
- Dave Gledhill
- Tim Frenneux
- Rebecca Newman (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8152-8066)
- Grace Gardner
- Tom Scrope
- Alastair Trickett
- Christine Parry
- Sian Goodwin
- N Duncan
- Ben Fletcher
- Kim Smith
- Belinda Morris
- Dave Arnott
- Adrian Lovett
- H. S. Holden
- N. Atkinson
- Mark Blakeston
- Victoria Robertshaw
- Phillippa Sellstrom
Institutions
- University of Leeds (GB)
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (IT)
- University of Huddersfield (GB)
- Stockholm Environment Institute (GB)
- James Hutton Institute (GB)
- St George's, University of London (GB)
- City, University of London (GB)
- Royal Society of Arts (GB)
- British Academy (GB)
- Newcastle City Council (GB)
- Askham Bryan College (GB)
- Leverhulme Trust (GB)
- Sheffield City Council (GB)
- Northumbria University (GB)
- Benchmark (United Kingdom) (GB)
- Education Authority (GB)
- North Yorkshire County Council (GB)
- Country Land and Business Association (GB)
- York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Enterprise Partnership (GB)
- Associated British Foods (United Kingdom) (GB)
- Forum for the Future (GB)
- Institute of Food Science & Technology (GB)
- Institute for Research in Schools (GB)
- Harrogate District Hospital (GB)
- Springfield Hospital (GB)
- Rethink Mental Illness (GB)
- AB Agri (GB)
- The Audio Recording Academy (CA)
- Yorkshire Agricultural Society (GB)
- Barnsley Hospital (GB)
- City St George's, University of London (GB)
- University of Lincoln (GB)
- University of York (GB)
- Hull York Medical School (GB)
- University of Glasgow (GB)
- Cranfield University (GB)
Publication Details
- Journal
- PLOS Sustainability and Transformation
- Published
- 2024-11-21
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pstr.0000134
- Citations
- 9
- Primary Topic
- Agriculture Sustainability and Environmental Impact
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 4.13
Funders
- UK Research and Innovation