How can we achieve net zero with a injust food system

Net zero is disproportionately distributed throughout the UK which aligns with the problem of food injustice. Food injustice is where there is unequal and unfair access to appropriate food. This is due to the social ,economical, and geographical barriers. K.A , Garthwaite links to the sustainability problem of food as it shows daily struggles in which poorer communities face daily, these articles findings were conducted from investigating a food bank which shows the systemic gaps within the food distribution system. (Garthwaite, Collins and Bambra, 2015) Moreover, this justice analysis highlights the unequal systematic system the UK has with the relationship with the equality of food.

When identifying the problems of the food injustice its clear to see that the biggest facing issue is the disparity between communities of different class and financial income. When looking at solutions there needs to be a cultural shift alongside stricter restrictions which allow the gap to narrow between the different economic groups. For example, people living with disabilities struggle with food security compared to non disabled individuals. A report by the equality and human rights commission found that 18% of disabled people aged 16-64 were living in food poverty which is more than twice the rate of disabled people. (The independent) This overall shows that the injustice of food is linked with much broader problems and it is all intertwined with the slow progress of trying to meet the needs of net zero.

To successfully transform the food system and achieve net zero there will need to be a assortment of strategies and techniques. Due to the fact that global food production threatens climate stability, radical change is needed. One way in which this could be tackled is through a government shift towards healthy diets. They can do this by making healthy foods more accessible, available, and affordable. Therefore it is essential that the information which is on food packaging is much clearer and more transparent. If this were to happen, it would allow the consumers to be more aware of the ‘healthier options.’Food marketing simultaneously should do the same. Many foods companies deceive there audience. For example, protein bars are deemed a healthy choice and compact with protein. However, consumers do not realise that these bars are usually packed with sugars. (Reddit.com, 2019) Therefore if our government became stricter on policy and regulations on misleading consumers into purchasing unhealthy foods it would promote healthier foods and it would narrow the food injustice gap as the public are being greenwashed or deceived by the food industry.

Another solution to try and accelerate the food industry to net zero is through using framework like circular economy. This aims to reduce waste aswell as retaining a closed loop. Vulnerable communities would facilitate from this structure as it reduces the amount of structural barriers which are imbedded in the industry currently. Food injustice perpetuates disparities in food security and environmental burdens. Circular economy will address this issue as it maximises yield for farmers, reduces prices for consumers as-well as bridging the gap between sustainability and food justice. (Schroeder and Barrie, 2022)

In conclusion, addressing food justice when looking on the ability to achieve net zero emissions requires a dynamic and adaptive approach that recognises the challenges certain communities face which affects the accessibility and quality of food for them. By implementing the circular economy, it creates a multitudinous number of benefits. By prioritising policies which address both social justice and environmental sustainability it allows the UK to alleviate climate change whilst also prioritising equality. The food system needs to change, and it is essential that is adaptive to sustainability as-well being socially fair, if this were to happen it would be crucial to improving the injustice for food.

References

Garthwaite, K.A., Collins, P.J. and Bambra, C. (2015). Food for thought: An ethnographic study of negotiating ill health and food insecurity in a UK foodbank. Social Science & Medicine, 132(132), pp.38–44. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2015.03.019.

Reddit.com. (2019). Reddit - Dive into anything. [online] Available at: https://www.reddit.com/r/nutrition/comments/dj0fu0/what_are_the_biggest_scams_that_come_from_food/?rdt=63181 [Accessed 8 Nov. 2024].

Schroeder, P. and Barrie, J. (2022). Is going circular just? Environmental justice and just transition – key elements for an inclusive circular economy. Field Actions Science Reports. The journal of field actions, [online] (Special Issue 24), pp.20–25. Available at: https://journals.openedition.org/factsreports/6864