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Exploring Sustainability Implications of Transitions to Agroecology: a Transdisciplinary Perspective

Schwarz, Gerald and Vanni, Francesco and Miller, David and Helin, Janne and Prazan, Jaroslav and Albanito, Fabrizio and Frățilă, Mihaela and Galioto, Francesco and Gava, Oriana and Irvine, Katherine and Landert, Jan and Quero, Alb-Linares and Mayer, Andreas and Monteleone, Daniel and Müller, Adrian and Röös, Elin and Smyrniotopoulou, Alexandra and Vincent, Audrey and Vlahos, George and Zīlāns, Andis (2022) Exploring Sustainability Implications of Transitions to Agroecology: a Transdisciplinary Perspective. EuroChoices , 21 (3) , pp. 37-47 .

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Summary

Successful transitions to agroecology require shared understanding of the sustainability implications of transitions for food systems. To gain such understanding, a transdisciplinary approach is increasingly called for by funders, end users of research and scientists. Transdisciplinary processes were used in the UNISECO project to develop strategic pathways that enable transitions to agroecology in case studies across Europe. These strategic pathways were combined with scenarios of EU food systems in 2050, in which combinations of agroecological farming and food consumption practices were assessed. These were then reviewed considering selected UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a reference for discussing the sustainability implications of transitions to agroecology. Sustainability implications were identified for several SDGs including Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Quality Education (SDG 4), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), Climate Action (SDG 13) and Life on Land (SDG 15). Key factors contributing to the sustainability of transitions to agroecology are: i) mature social capital and improved farmer knowledge of the benefits of agroecological practices; ii) strengthened collaborative actions and collective institutions to increase negotiating power within the value-chain; and, iii) changes in consumer behaviour and diets. These factors highlight the need for a food system perspective in transitions to agroecology and supporting policies. This in turn highlights the meaningful role of transdisciplinary research in strengthening the sustainability of European food systems.

Item Type: A scientific paper in a peer-reviewed journal
Agrovoc keywords:
Language
Value
URI
English
food systems
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_bea5db85
English
agroecology
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_92381
English
sustainability
http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_33560
Keywords: food systems, agroecology, sustainability, Abacus, FiBL3516104
Subjects: Themes > Food systems > Policy environment and regulations > Evaluation of inputs
Themes > Food systems > Economic aspects > Other economic aspects
Affiliations: Austria > Austria - Other Institutions
Belgium > Belgium - Other Institutions
Czechia > Czechia - Other Instituions
Finland > LUKE - Natural Resources Institute Finland
France > France - Other Institutions
Germany > TI – Thünen Institute – Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries
Greece > Greece - Other Institutions
Italy > CREA – Council for Agricultural Research and Agricultural Economics Analysis
Romania > Romania - Other Institutions
Spain > Spain - Other Institutions
Sweden > Sweden - Other Institutions
Switzerland > FiBL – Research Institute of Organic Agriculture
United Kingdom > United Kingdom - Other Institutions
Depositing User: Dr. Helga Willer
Date Deposited: 19 Sep 2025 10:37
Last Modified: 19 Sep 2025 10:37
URI: https://aeprints.org/id/eprint/106

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