CSIRO has released a new roadmap stating that Australia’s food systems must adapt now to be sustainable in the future.
Food systems – from production through consumption and waste management – are under pressure from various sources, including climate change, increased demand, supply chain and labour disruptions, rising input prices, and nutrition-related public health concerns.
The roadmap, Reshaping Australian Food Systems, lays forth a plan for Australia to achieve a more sustainable, productive, and resilient future for its food, environment, and people.
Among the five significant potential areas mentioned in the report are improved access to healthier meals and reduced food waste.
CSIRO Future Industries Executive Director Kirsten Rose said the roadmap will be a valuable resource for decision-makers.
“Australia’s food systems currently support an estimated 70 million people across the nation and through our export markets so it’s critical those systems are robust enough to meet future needs,” Rose stated.
“This roadmap represents a collective approach to tackling some of the biggest challenges facing the security and health of our food,” Rose added.
The roadmap highlighted five areas of opportunity, each with its own 2030 and 2050 targets:
- Providing fair access to healthy and sustainable diets
- Reducing waste and improving circularity
- Assisting Australia in its transition to net zero emissions
- Integrating resilience with socioeconomic and environmental sustainability
- Increasing value and productivity
CSIRO’s Director of Agriculture and Food Dr Michael Robertson said the roadmap includes a comprehensive look at food systems and how they connect with larger social systems, with input from more than 120 stakeholders nationwide.
“Recent climate extremes, the COVID-19 pandemic, and geopolitical uncertainties show that we need to prepare our food systems for a shifting risk landscape in our interdependent world,” Dr Robertson stated.
“Addressing these challenges and redirecting our food systems towards greater sustainability and resilience will help us protect our food security into the future,” Dr Robertson added.
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Assistant Secretary for food policy Paul Denny said the roadmap would be a valuable resource for developing future sustainable food systems.
“The roadmap will shape thinking about food systems and assist stakeholders along the entire food value chain to understand how those systems can be made healthier, more equitable and more sustainable,” Denny noted.
Foodbank Australia General Manager Sarah Pennell commented, “We know that food insecurity is a growing challenge in Australia and there needs to be a ‘whole of systems’ approach to efficiently and effectively addressing the immediate impacts at the same time as providing solutions for the root causes.”
“Foodbank has really welcomed the opportunity to input into this Roadmap because it supports and guides a collaborative approach to better delivering food security for the most vulnerable in our community,” she added.
