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A policy index to create healthier and more environmentally sustainable food systems.

par Burgaz Andres, Celia
Président du jury Moucheron, Cécile
Promoteur Achten, Wouter
Co-Promoteur Vandevijvere, Stefanie
Publication Non publié, 2024-09-06

Thèse de doctorat

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Résumé :

Introduction: The three current pandemics of (a) undernutrition, (b) obesity and (c) climate change represent the Global Syndemic, affecting most people in every country and region worldwide. Food systems are their chief constituent. Governments are one of the actors with major impacts, so their action is crucial. To address the Global Syndemic, double- and triple-duty actions are needed. This thesis aims to create a Food Systems Policy Index for global governments with double- and triple-duty policies towards healthier and more environmentally sustainable food systems. Methods: The research was conducted in five steps: (1) A compilation of international food systems policy recommendations to identify the policy actions addressed to governments; (2) a scoping review to analyse the effects and effectiveness of food systems policies; (3) international expert consultations to identify the perceived effects, effectiveness, synergies, trade-offs and prioritisation levels of the proposed food systems policies; (4) country- and city-levels policy mapping in collaboration with five African countries to map the food systems policies design and implemented; and (5) semi-structured policy stakeholder interviews across these five African countries to identify the barriers and facilitators to the policy development and implementation of food systems policies.Results: This thesis compiles a list of proposed policies classified across two main domains (food supply chains and food environments) and ten subdomains. Sustainable agriculture practices and school food programmes have triple-duty action, while food labelling, reformulation, in-store nudging interventions and fiscal measures have double-duty action. Multi-component policy interventions were the most effective. The top-ranked food supply chain policies with perceived triple-duty action were (i) incentives for crop diversification; (ii) support for SMEs. The top-ranked food environments policies with perceived triple-duty action were (i) affordability of healthier and more sustainable diets; (ii) subsidies for healthier and more sustainable foods; (iii) restrictions on children's exposure to marketing through all media. Governments are advancing towards policies that simultaneously address food insecurity and climate change in the studied African countries. The technical and political barriers commonly experienced when designing and implementing food systems policies were insufficient financial resources, lack of political will, limited data, and inadequate monitoring and enforcement mechanisms. The major facilitators were supportive public opinion and awareness, international agreements, sound agenda-setting, multi-stakeholder consultations and partnerships, availability of both financial resources and data, and solid political will. Conclusion: The Food Systems Policy Index consists of 44 proposed policies towards healthier and more environmentally sustainable food systems that can be developed and implemented by governments at national and local levels worldwide.