ACTION TRACK 2 : SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION

Background

Guided by the best available scientific evidence, best practice and real-world examples, Action Track 2 aims to generate game-changing propositions — including identifying novel solutions that may, as yet, be unknown — that can catalyze shifts in consumption through changes in food policy, food environments, private sector actions and offerings and consumer behavior. A transition towards diets which are healthier and more nature positive economically equitable and socially just, needs to retain desirability while celebrating and sharing cultural identity. Key outcomes to which the proposed solutions should contribute include:

• A dramatic increase in the diversity, availability, accessibility and affordability, of safe foods that contribute to healthy and sustainable diets, especially wholegrains, legumes and nuts, and fresh vegetables and fruits. Particularly for vulnerable and poor population groups, sufficient quantities of healthy protein sources, including sustainably-produced dairy, eggs, blue foods (marine and freshwater fish, shellfish and algae), meat or alternative protein sources;

• A major shift in demand for and/or consumption of healthy and sustainable diets, including more than doubling the consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts;

• At the global level, and particularly with respect to more affluent populations, a reduction of excessive consumption of animal-sourced foods, especially red meat, and an increase in consumption of plant-rich diets;

• A reduction of overconsumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and ultra-processed foods high in calories, unhealthy fats, free sugars, and salt/sodium;

• Halving per capita food waste at household, food service and retail levels by 2030 (SDG target 12.3) and transitioning to a circular food economy where waste becomes a resource;

• Strengthened connections between consumers and producers of food, including by fostering development of more robust value chains local where feasible, creating solid alliances between farmers and civil society and harnessing the potential of food markets (including wet markets) to deliver safe, healthy and sustainable diets; and

• Improved and reoriented social and environmental sustainability of global value chains to ensure that international trade facilitates access to foods that contribute to healthy and sustainable diets.

Achieving these outcomes would unleash enormous social, economic and environmental progress, and help achieve the SDGs, the Paris Climate Accord and other internationally-agreed commitments.