Increasing Sustainability of Food Production Systems (DP IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS))

Increasing Sustainability of Terrestrial Food Production

• It is possible to make terrestrial food production systems more sustainable via a number of different methods, including:

  • Changing human behaviours

  • Improving the accuracy of food labels

  • Monitoring and controlling food corporations’ standards and practices

  • Planting of buffer zones

Photo by Sara Dubler on Unsplash 

Plant-based diets are more sustainable as well as healthier than meat-based diets

Changing Human Behaviours

• Altering human activity to reduce meat consumption and increase consumption of organic, locally produced terrestrial food products:

  • Promoting plant-based diets: encouraging individuals to reduce their meat consumption and increase consumption of plant-based foods can significantly reduce the environmental impact associated with intensive livestock production

  • For example, public health campaigns promoting the benefits of vegetarian or vegan diets and providing resources for transitioning to plant-based eating

  • Supporting organic and local food production: choosing organic and locally sourced food products reduces the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilisers, supports sustainable farming practices, and reduces the carbon footprint associated with long-distance transportation

  • For example, farmers' markets and community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs that offer organic produce and locally sourced products to consumers

Improving Food Label Accuracy

• Improving the accuracy of food labels to assist customers in making informed food choices:

  • Clear labelling of environmental impacts: food labels can provide information on the environmental footprint of food products, including factors like carbon emissions, water usage, and sustainable farming practices

  • For example, labels indicating carbon footprint, water footprint, or eco-certifications (such as Rainforest Alliance or Fair Trade) to inform consumers about the environmental impact of their food choices

  • Promoting transparency in supply chains: ensuring that food labels accurately depict the origins of ingredients and production processes helps consumers make choices aligned with their environmental values

  • For example, labels indicating the country of origin, fair trade certifications, or information on sustainable sourcing practices

Fair Trade labelling on coffee allows consumers to choose more environmentally sustainable products

Monitoring and Controlling Food Standards and Practices

• Monitoring and control of the standards and practices of multinational and national food corporations by governmental and intergovernmental bodies:

  • Setting regulations and standards: governments and intergovernmental bodies can establish regulations and standards for food production practices, waste management, and environmental protection

  • For example, imposing limits on pesticide use, implementing sustainable farming practices, and monitoring compliance through inspections and certifications

  • Supporting sustainable agriculture programs: governments can provide financial incentives, subsidies, or grants to farmers adopting sustainable practices, such as organic farming, crop rotation, and agroforestry

  • For example, government-funded programs offering financial assistance to farmers transitioning to sustainable farming methods

Planting Buffer Zones

• Planting buffer zones around land suitable for food production to absorb nutrient run-off:

  • Creating vegetative buffer strips: planting strips of vegetation or trees along water bodies can capture and filter nutrient run-off from agricultural fields, reducing water pollution

  • For example, establishing buffer zones of grasses, native plants, or trees along rivers, lakes, or streams adjacent to farmland

• These measures, when implemented together, can contribute to increased sustainability in terrestrial food production systems by reducing environmental impacts, supporting informed consumer choices, promoting sustainable farming practices, and protecting water bodies from nutrient pollution