Sustainable Food Chains to Achieve SDG-12 in Europe: Perspectives from Multi-stakeholders Initiatives

Abstract

This chapter compiles and analyzes existent financial mechanisms and industrial and consumer initiatives to achieve sustainable food production and consumption at the European level. Based on a systematic review of European initiatives, the role of multi-stakeholders to promote a sustainable European food supply chain is assessed. Initiatives are described and categorized into three waves to evaluate their priorities and attributes over time. Afterwards, they are linked to the SDG 12 targets to assess their commitments to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Results show a gradual transition in stakeholders’ priorities toward sustainability and climate change action. Industries and consumers are both strongly engaged to foster food awareness and reduce food waste at production and consumption stages. Nevertheless, integrated action to promote sustainability in processing, distribution, and retailing stages is weak and shall be developed. Similarly, SDG 12 lacks clear-cut targets to meet sustainability across these food chain stages, and the European initiatives should work more on building a specific framework and criteria to promote a sustainable food consumption and production while considering the entire food supply chain. Thus, further research should assess the potential of integrated action along the entire food supply chain in order to design specific criteria efficiently developing sustainable food systems.