Economics of Sustainable Food: Smart Policies for Health and the Planet

International experts come together with policy recommendations that can make the global food system healthier and more sustainable.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 31 August 2021
Publisher: Island Press

The current industrial food system is a significant economic burden, costing trillions of dollars to address issues such as malnutrition, diseases, and environmental degradation. However, this cost is often overlooked by economists and policymakers as it does not directly impact grocery store prices. The Economics of Sustainable Food provides a comprehensive analysis of the true cost of food and offers solutions to transform our broken system. The book emphasizes the importance of smart macroeconomic policy that promotes regenerative agriculture and sustainable, healthy diets.

The multidisciplinary team of authors presents detailed fiscal and trade policies, as well as structural reforms, to achieve these goals. Chapters explore various strategies, including taxes and spending, education, labor market, health care, and pension reforms, alongside regulation in cases where market incentives are insufficient. The authors carefully consider the needs of different economies, balancing economic development and sustainability objectives. Case studies showcase successful strategies from around the world, such as distributing climate-resilient grains through subsidized food programs, taxing foods with high carbon footprints, and providing schools with matching funds to purchase local produce.

In the years to come, the way we produce our food and the food we eat will have a profound impact on individual prosperity and the global economy. This roadmap for reform is an invaluable resource for global policymakers to improve countless lives.

Weight: 516g
Dimension: 153 x 228 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781642831610