Responsibility in Environmental Governance: Unwrapping the Global Food Waste Dilemma

The book "Responsibility in Environmental Governance" explores the rhetoric of responsibility in environmental and sustainability-related fields and argues that decisive political action is still lacking. It proposes a comprehensive analytical approach to map and understand the dynamics of responsibility and applies it to the study of food waste governance, highlighting the need for more democratic solutions to a global problem.

Format: Hardback
Length: 267 pages
Publication date: 03 October 2022
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

This book offers a comprehensive exploration of the concept of responsibility in environmental governance. It begins by acknowledging that while the rhetoric of responsibility is pervasive in environmental and sustainability-related fields, decisive political action remains lacking. Governance architectures increasingly strive to hold various stakeholders accountable by implementing accountability and transparency mechanisms to address environmental challenges. However, the underlying structural background conditions that contribute to these issues continue to yield unevenly distributed, socially unjust, and ecologically devastating outcomes.

Responsibility in Environmental Governance employs an analytical framework to unravel these dynamics and contextualize diverse meanings of responsibility within broader socio-political contexts. It applies this approach to the study of food waste governance, unveiling a narrow governance focus on accountability, optimization, and consumer behavior change strategies. This exploration reveals opportunities for organizing more democratic solutions to a truly global problem.

The book delves into the complexities of food waste governance, examining the ways in which different stakeholders, including governments, businesses, and consumers, are responsible for its generation and management. It highlights the need for a shift towards more holistic and democratic approaches that involve a broader range of actors and consider the social, economic, and ecological dimensions of food waste.

One of the key findings of the book is that the current governance framework often prioritizes short-term solutions and individual accountability, rather than addressing the root causes of food waste. It argues that a more democratic and inclusive approach is necessary to address the complex and interconnected challenges associated with food waste, including food production, consumption, and disposal.

To achieve this, the book proposes a range of strategies, such as developing community-based food waste management systems, promoting sustainable food production practices, and enhancing consumer awareness and education. It also emphasizes the importance of engaging with marginalized communities and ensuring that their voices and perspectives are heard in the governance process.

Furthermore, the book explores the role of technology in addressing food waste, including the use of sensors, blockchain, and artificial intelligence to track and manage food waste throughout the supply chain. It argues that these technologies can help to increase transparency, reduce waste, and promote more sustainable practices.

In conclusion, Responsibility in Environmental Governance provides a valuable contribution to the study of environmental governance and offers insights into the complex dynamics of food waste governance. By challenging the narrow focus on accountability and optimization, the book advocates for a more democratic and inclusive approach that considers the social, economic, and ecological dimensions of food waste. It provides a roadmap for developing more effective and sustainable solutions to this global problem.

Weight: 508g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031137280
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022