Contribution

cbased is contributing analysis of the innovations performance of  European food producers, case studies on startups, estimates and simulations of diffusion curves of meat alternatives as well as participating in developing policy suggestions.

Contribution

Approach

The study is financed by the Austrian National Bank (Jubiläumsfonds) and will analyse the major players in the food value chain and their likely contributions to future disruptions.

Insights

The food system is in flux as Regulators, Innovators, Science and Consumers (RISC) might trigger change processes. Moving away for the status quo is essential to reduce the environmental burden of the food system as well as the GHG emissions. Currently, the sector is responsible for 1/3 of GHG emissions. 

Partners

The project is lead by the Austrian Institute of Economic Research (WIFO, Franz Sinabell) and jointly elaborated with University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU, Henry Jäger – Institute for Food Processing, Christian Garaus – Institute for Marketing and Innovation).

Insights

The food value chain is the backbone of society but far from aligned with the Paris climate targets or the European Commission’s Green Deal. About 1⁄3 of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) are emanating from it globally. About half are due to meat production which appropriates about 80% of agricultural land for feed production. The high land use is associated with biodiversity loss and natural habitat destruction. The unsustainable footprint of meat production may be disrupted either by policy makers that bring agriculture in line with climate policies, or consumers that shy away from meat products for climate, health or animal welfare reasons, or innovators or incumbents that use new technologies to substitute meat products by offering the same sensual experience at lower cost and superior quality. This project explores the potentially disruptive impact of regulators, incumbents, consumers, or startups (RISC) and elaborates diffusion curves for meat alternatives based on in-depth analyses of these potential disruptors. The diffusion scenarios are used to assess the impact of the most likely scenarios on the food value chain in terms of production, value added, employment and GHG emissions with a regional focus on Austria.

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