Research project ENOUGH publishes scientific outcomes and political appraisals

Funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, the ENOUGH project, recently published deliverables consisting of a comprehensive analysis of the European food supply chain (FSC) and its journey towards its objective of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

A Policy Brief on recommendations to decarbonize the European FSC details the necessity of all FSC stages, from food production to waste management, to promote the phase-out of fossil fuel and global warming potential refrigerant use. In this scenario, a harmonized monitoring system is needed to develop an emissions benchmark and to design better strategies to achieve net-zero emissions.

A Policy Report identifies gaps along the FSC by linking existing policies to sustainable priorities. The main results show an overall synergy between sustainable food consumption priorities and existing policies. The Policy Report highlights that improving product labeling to inform consumers is a key process so this group can make healthier and more sustainable decisions. Nevertheless, strategies to make sustainable products more affordable are still missing, and call for a more straightforward approach. Furthermore, current policies on waste management do not present concise strategies to address food waste per se, demanding action plans to reduce food loss and to promote sustainable waste management.

A Policy Report about policy interventions provides an overview of current policies and finance related to the green transition. The conclusion points to climate finance as crucial to making clean energy sources and technologies more accessible. Yet, there is some divergence regarding where current investments should be allocated. Nevertheless, existing policies shall be carried out in synergy with new proposals, and financial mechanisms shall be issued in priority areas to support policy implementation.

A Practice Abstract brings insights into knowledge creation and governance. It highlights the importance of integrated action from multiple stakeholders to decarbonize the European FSC from farm to food waste.
 
Finally, a scientific article entitled "Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives and Decarbonization in the European Food Supply Chain" has been accepted for publication in a special issue of the journal Frontiers in Sustainability. The paper applies an existing industrial policy framework to identify potential strategies to help achieve the needed financial means and innovation actions, while gauging political alignment across all FSC stages. The results indicate that political directionality related to the food sector should be more comprehensively tailored to account for the specificities of each stage of the FSC, and research and development projects shall likewise cover all stages. In line with that, multiple stakeholders are crucial as promoters of technology and innovation toward a green economy. Therefore, initiatives should be integrated into political discussions to promote civil awareness aligned with political guidelines.