sustainability assessment of agricultural and food...

Sustainability assessment of agricultural and food systems

Paola Migliorini, PhD University of Gastronomic Science

Pollenzo-Bra, Italy

Learning outcome

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After this course you should be able to: •understand the concept of sustainable agriculture and food systems; •describle how to define it; •give example of sustainability assessment of agriculture and food systems •implement how to measure sustainability with sustainability indicators

Photo by Paola Migliorini

The concept of sustainable agriculture 1

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From SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT:

1.the development that "meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. (Brundtland Commission, formally the World Commission on Environment and Development, United Nation 1983)

2.the development that, in the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors, conserves land, water, plant and animal genetic resources, is environmentally non-degrading, technically appropriate, economically viable and socially acceptable”. (FAO Council, 1989).

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE and FOOD SYSTEMS

(Gomiero, et al. 2011; Pretty, 2008)

Prezentator

Notatki do prezentacji

In the face of increased food production demands to meet the needs of a growing worl population, environmental damage caused by agricultural practices has been well documented and ranges from air pollution (i.e., greenhouse gases), soil degradation (erosion, loss of fertility, and salinization), water pollution caused by fertilizers and pesticides, destruction of aquatic ecosystems, and the loss of biodiversity at all levels [1]. From an economic and social point of view too, agriculture has created many imbalances [2].

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(Ikerd, 1993)


Social

Economic Environment sustainable

bearable equitable

viable

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Ikeard, in 1993, stated that “Differences between conventional and sustainable paradigms of agriculture are much more a matter of differences in farming philosophy than of farming practices or methods. During the era of agricultural industrialization and the green revolution, the appropriate approach was to focus on the development of agricultural practices that optimize individual businesses. However, a wide system approach that focuses on the development of communities of knowledge and systems of companies and food production chain (from farm to fork up the reuse of waste) needs to address the environmental, economic, and social aspects of agricultural sustainability of the post-industrial era.”

Two approaches to sustainability (Hansen, 1996), as: 1. philosophical approach alternatives strategies best practices 2. goals system property (structural and functional) spatial boundaries

and time scale

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Conway (1987) defined sustainability as resilience: ‘...the ability of a system to maintain productivity in spite of a major disturbance’. “the capacity of agroecosystem to maintain production over time, over long term ecologic limitation and socioeconomic pressing” (Altieri, 1987).



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The concept of sustainable agriculture was described also by Hansen in 1996 treated according to two visions: a. sustainability as a philosophical approach; b. sustainability as a system property. In the first, sustainable agriculture has been described as an umbrella term encompassing several alternatives approaches, paradigm and values to conventional agriculture. So, a series of alternative strategies and good practices are identified as sustainable (i.e. wide crop rotation, intercropping, soil protection against erosion, organic nutrient management) while others are not. In the second vision, the sustainable agricultural system is defined as one that fulfils several goals through time. These goals generally include some expression of maintenance or enhancement of the natural environment, provision of human food needs, economic viability and social welfare. According to this vision Conway defined sustainability as resilience ‘...the ability of a system to maintain productivity in spite of a major disturbance’.

Agricultural sustainability 1

Being a complex issue, “sustainability” depends on the perspective taken when looking at the system.

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Sustainable for who?


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Agricultural sustainability is a very complex issue because agriculture is multifunctional (production of both goods e.i food products or food enterprice and services e.i. carbon sequestraion or clean water) and sustainability is a multi-scale (field, farm, farming system level) and multi-faceted issue whose parameters often conflict with one another (is more important that a wine taste good or is cheap or is healty?). Therefore, a multi-dimensional (environmental, economic, and social) assessment using multiple criteria and sets of indicators that consider different levels of analysis (farmer,producers, consumer, distibutors, policy makers, local comunities) is useful but difficult and critic.


Several conceptual frameworks and methodologies have been developed to assess agricultural and food sustainability and they use different indicators at global, international and farm levels.

7 Photo by Paola Migliorini

Sustainable for who?

Prezentator


Agricultural sustainability is a very complex issue because agriculture is multifunctional (production of both goods e.i food products or food enterprice and services e.i. carbon sequestraion or clean water) and sustainability is a multi-scale (field, farm, farming system level) and multi-faceted issue whose parameters often conflict with one another (is more important that a wine taste good or is cheap or is healty?). Therefore, a multi-dimensional (environmental, economic, and social) assessment using multiple criteria and sets of indicators that consider different levels of analysis (farmer,producers, consumer, distibutors, policy makers, local comunities) is useful but difficult and critic.

Framework and methodologies to assess sustainability: some example at farm level

• FESLM: An International Framework for Evaluating Sustainable Land Management.

• PSR (Pressure-State-Response) and DPSIR (Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response indicators)

• The MESMIS framework. Evaluating the sustainability of complex socio-environmental system.

• RISE, a method for assessing the sustainability of agricultural production at farm level.

• MOTIFS: a monitoring tool for integrated farm sustainability. • LCA (Life cycle assessment) of Swiss farming systems: I. Integrated and organic

farming. II intensive vs extensive

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Prezentator


Smith, A.J.; Dumanski, J. FESLM: An International Framework for Evaluating Sustainable Land Management. World Soil Resources Report No. 73, FAO, Rome, Italy, 1994. Pressure-State-Response (PSR) framework (OECD, 1994). The Driver-Pressure-StateImpact-Response indicators (DPSIR) (European Environmental Agency, 2003). Loperz-Ridaura, S.; Masera, O.; Aster, M. Evaluating the sustainability of complex socio-environmental system. The MESMIS framework. Ecological indicator, 2002 (2)135-148. Grenz, J.; Thalmann, C.; Stämpfli, A.; Studer, C.; Häni, F. RISE, a method for assessing the sustainability of agricultural production at farm level. Rural Development News 2009, 1: 5-9. Meul, M.; Van Passel, S.; Nevens, F.; Dessein, J.; Rogg, E.; Mulier, A.; Van Hauwermeiren, A. MOTIFS: a monitoring tool for integrated farm sustainability. Agron. Sustain. Dev. 2008, 28: 321–332. Nemecek, T.; Dubois, D.; Huguenin-Elie, O.; Gaillard, G. Life cycle assessment of Swiss farming systems: I. Integrated and organic farming. Agricultural Systems 2011, 104: 217-232.

Framework and methodologies to assess sustainability: some example at farming and food system level

• AESIS: An indicator-based framework to evaluate sustainability of farming systems

• GCF (Good, Clean and Fair): A methodology for the sustainability assessment of agri-food systems in Slow Food context

• SOAAN (Sustainable Organic Agriculture Action Network) IFOAM • SAFA (Sustainability Assessment of Food and Agriculture Systems) FAO

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Prezentator


Pacini, C.; Lazzerini, G.; Migliorini, P.; Vazzana, C. An indicator-based framework to evaluate sustainability of farming systems: review of applications in Tuscany. Italian Journal of Agronomy 2009, 604 4(1):23-40. Peano, C.; Migliorini P.; Sottile, F. A methodology for the sustainability assessment of agri-food systems: an application to the Slow Food Presidia project. Ecology and Society 2014, 19(4):24. FAO. Sustainability Assessment of Food and Agriculture Systems (SAFA) – Guidelines. Draft 4.0 - compact version’, Rome, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2012.


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Sustainability concept

Understanding the meaning

Principles of Sustainability

Objectives to be achieved What should be sustain: System boundaries Spatial and Time scale

Selection of indicators

Type of indicators

Sustainability Indicators: measuring sustainability performance 1

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How to judge? •System evolution over time •Comparable systems •Optimal objective •Threshold limit

(Bell and Morse, 1999)

Measuring the immeasurable

Sustainability Indicators: measuring sustainability performance 2

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(OECD, 1999; Pacini et al., 2003; CEC, 2006)

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Most of these indicators are strongly ecological in focus and very detailed, or they are policy oriented and developed at aggregate, sector or country level. So, indicators are developed that differ greatly in information content and condensation of this information (Fig. 1 ). Scientists are most interested in uncondensed data that can be analysed statistically. Policymakers and the public in general can be assumed to prefer condensed data related to policy objectives and free of redundancy.

Example of first approach “Best practices”:

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Example of second approach “Goals”: SAFA Sustainability Assessment of Food and Agriculture systems (FAO, 2013)

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Holistic management

Corporate ethics

Accountability

Partecipation

Rule of low

Rule of low

Atmosphere

Water

Land

Biodiversity

Materials and Energy Animal Welfare

Investment

Vulnerability

Product quality

Local Economy

Decent livelihood

Fair trading

Fair trading

Labour rights

Equity

Human healthy and safety

Cultural development

Best Good Moderate Limited Unacceptable Not relevant

How sustainability is communicate?

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(Festi G. and Morandina B. 2013)

SOME EXAMPLE of FOOD Products from the market

•Lipton tea: corporate range of Rainforest Alliance Certified Farms •Gran Moravia cheese: water foot print First sin of green-washing (sin of hidden trade-off) Delegation approach Attempt to "recognition" Lack of interest in the identity of the consumer

1st Level: Certification

http://sinsofgreenwashing.com/findings/the-seven-sins/ 16

Prezentator


A claim suggesting that a product is ‘green’ based on a narrow set of attributes without attention to other important environmental issues.

To farmer: •Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream: “Caring dairy” To consumer: •Lavazza Fondazione: Tierra!

Direct recruitment, engagement builds tension with a future horizon Farmer-learning; Consumer-follower

2nd Level: sustainability commitment

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Prezentator


Lavazza (CSR): Sustainability report, LCA and Indicators Lavazza Fondazione:

• Toyota – Glass of Water (no food!)

strong implication on the production side, willingness to participate the (former) consumer to a

transformative movement of social practices

3rd Level: participatory sustainability

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• read the paper • I’m available for questions and discussions

Thank you!

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Reference list • Altieri M. 1987. Agroecology, the scientific basis of sustainable agriculture, Westview press, Colorado.

• Bacon, C.M.; Getz, C.; Kraus, S.; Montenegro, M.; Holland, K. 2012. The social dimensions of sustainability and change in diversified farming systems. Ecology and Society, 17(4):41.

• Bell, S.; Morse, S. 1999. Sustainability indicators: measuring the immeasurable? Earthscan, London, England.

• CEC, 2000. Indicators for the Integration of Environmental Concerns into the Common Agricultural Policy. Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament. Brussels, 26.01.2000 COM.

• CEC, 2006. Development of agri-environmental indicators for monitoring the integration of environmental concerns into the Common Agricultural Policy.. Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament. Bruxelles.

• Conway, G.R. 1987. The Properties of Agroecosystems, Agricultural Systems, , 24:95-117.

• FAO, 2012. Sustainability Assessment of Food and Agriculture Systems (SAFA) – Guidelines. Draft 4.0 - compact version’, Rome, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations,

• Festi G. and Morandina B. 2013. Comunicare la qualità. In: Pollenzo Index Environmental and economics Design. Indice Poliedro. p. 170-192, Pollenzo, 12042 Bra (Cn):Università degli Studi di Scienze Gastronomiche, ISBN: 978-88-907462-1-5

• Gomiero, T.; Pimentel, D.; Paoletti, M.G. 2011. Is There a Need for a More Sustainable Agriculture? Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences, 30:6–23.

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Reference list • Grenz, J.; Thalmann, C.; Stämpfli, A.; Studer, C.; Häni, F. 2009. RISE, a method for assessing the sustainability of

agricultural production at farm level. Rural Development News, 1: 5-9.

• Hansen, J.W. 1996. Is agricultural sustainability a useful concept? Agricultural Systems, , 50(2):117–143.

• Ikerd, J.E. 1993. The need for a systems approach to sustainable agriculture Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 46: 147-160.

• Loperz-Ridaura, S.; Masera, O.; Aster, M. 2002. Evaluating the sustainability of complex socio-environmental system. The MESMIS framework. Ecological indicator, (2)135-148.

• Meul, M.; Van Passel, S.; Nevens, F.; Dessein, J.; Rogg, E.; Mulier, A.; Van Hauwermeiren, A. 2008. MOTIFS: a monitoring tool for integrated farm sustainability. Agron. Sustain. Dev., 28: 321–332.

• Nemecek, T.; Dubois, D.; Huguenin-Elie, O.; Gaillard, G. 2011. Life cycle assessment of Swiss farming systems: I. Integrated and organic farming. Agricultural Systems, 104: 217-232.

• Nicholls, C.I.; Altieri, M.A.; Dezanet, A.; Lana, M.; Feistrauer, D.; Ouriques, M. 2004. A rapid, farmer-friendly agroecological method to estimate soil quality and crop health in vineyard systems. Biodynamics, 250:33-39

• OECD. 1999. Environmental indicators for agriculture: concepts and framework, vol. 1. OECD Proceedings. Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development Publication Service, Paris, France.

• OECD. 2008. Handbook on constructing composite indicators: methodology and user guide. OECD Proceedings. Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development Publication Service, Paris, France.

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• Pacini, C.; Lazzerini, G.; Migliorini, P.; Vazzana, C. 2009. An indicator-based framework to evaluate sustainability of farming systems: review of applications in Tuscany. Italian Journal of Agronomy, 604 4(1):23-40.

• Peano, C.; Migliorini P.; Sottile, F. 2014. A methodology for the sustainability assessment of agri-food systems: an application to the Slow Food Presidia project. Ecology and Society, 19(4):24.

• Pressure-State-Response (PSR) framework (OECD, 1994). The Driver-Pressure-StateImpact-Response indicators (DPSIR) (European Environmental Agency, 2003).

• Pretty, J. 2008. Agricultural sustainability: Concepts, principles and evidence. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B., 363: 447–465.

• Segnestam, L.; Winograd, M.; Farrow, A. 2000. Developing indicators: lessons learned from Central America. WashingtonDC, World bank, UNEP.

• Smith, A.J.; Dumanski, J. 1994. FESLM: An International Framework for Evaluating Sustainable Land Management. World Soil Resources Report No. 73, FAO, Rome, Italy.

• SOAAN 2013, The Best Practice Guideline for Agriculture and Value Chains, IFOAM. Available at http://www.ifoam.bio/sites/default/files/best_practice_guideline_v1.0_ratified_with_cover.pdf

• Trisorio, A. 2008. Misurare la sostenibilità: indicatori per l’agricoltura italiana. INEA. Ministero delle Politiche Agricole e Forestali, Rome, Italy.

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Reference list

• LIPTON: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxRbCxiK0bA

• GRAN MORAVIA http://www.granmoravia.com/water-footprint/ • LAVAZZA CSR:

• http://www.lavazza.co.uk/uk/lavazza-world/sustainability-report/ • http://www.lavazza.ch/ch-it/sostenibilita/valori/sostenibilita-prodotto/life-cycle-assessment/

• Ben&Jerry: http://www.benjerry.com/whats-new/2016/caring-dairy-standards

• LAVAZZA FONDAZIONE: http://www.lavazza.ch/ch-it/sostenibilita/valori/fondazione-

lavazza/tierra/

• TOYOTA: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NI6LMXynmds

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Web and Video reference

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxRbCxiK0bA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxRbCxiK0bA

http://www.granmoravia.com/water-footprint/

http://www.lavazza.co.uk/uk/lavazza-world/sustainability-report/






http://www.lavazza.ch/ch-it/sostenibilita/valori/sostenibilita-prodotto/life-cycle-assessment/









http://www.benjerry.com/whats-new/2016/caring-dairy-standards







http://www.lavazza.ch/ch-it/sostenibilita/valori/fondazione-lavazza/tierra/





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NI6LMXynmds

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