Study
SustainabilityRecentStrong effect

Global Food Systems Fall Short on Sustainability and Equity Goals

A comprehensive analysis of global food systems reveals that no single country excels across all indicators of sustainability, health, and equity, highlighting widespread challenges in achieving development goals.

Nature Food · 2023

01

Key Findings

  • 01No country ranks highest across all food system domains.
  • 02Some indicators of food system health are independent of national income.
  • 03Every country shows positive outcomes in some food system areas.
02

Application

Design takeaway

Designers must move beyond single-product optimization and consider the holistic impact of their innovations on global food systems, addressing interconnected challenges of sustainability, equity, and health.

How to apply

When designing any product or service related to food, consider its impact on resource use, waste generation, nutritional outcomes, and social equity throughout its lifecycle.

Project actions

  • 01When analyzing a product, consider its role within a larger food system.
  • 02Research the sustainability and equity implications of materials and manufacturing processes.
  • 03Explore how design can contribute to reducing food waste or improving access to nutritious food.
03

Method & Evidence

AimTo establish a holistic monitoring framework and baseline assessment of global food systems' progress towards development, health, and sustainability goals by 2030.
MethodHolistic Monitoring Framework and Indicator Analysis
ProcedureDeveloped a food system indicator framework with 50 indicators across five themes (diets/nutrition/health, environment/resources/production, livelihoods/poverty/equity, governance, resilience). Collected and harmonized data for these indicators to provide a baseline assessment of global food systems.
SampleAll countries worldwide
ContextGlobal food systems

Variables

IVDesign interventions aimed at improving specific food system indicators (e.g., packaging material, distribution method, food preservation technique).
DVImprovements in selected food system indicators (e.g., reduction in waste, increase in nutrient retention, enhanced accessibility, reduced environmental footprint).
CVSocio-economic context of the target user group, existing food system infrastructure, regulatory environment.
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Comprehensive, multi-dimensional approach to assessing food systems.
  • +Provides a global baseline for tracking progress towards SDGs.
  • +Highlights the interdependence of various food system components.

Limitations

The complexity of global food systems can be overwhelming. Focusing on a specific, manageable aspect of the system for your project is crucial.

Reliability & validity

The study's reliability is supported by a consultative process for indicator selection and harmonized data. Validity is enhanced by its holistic approach covering multiple dimensions of food systems, though the dynamic nature of food systems means continuous updates are needed.

Think critically

If no country is performing well across all food system indicators, what are the primary barriers preventing holistic improvement, and how can design interventions specifically target these systemic barriers rather than just symptoms?

05

Design Principles

"Design for systemic sustainability and equity."

This research underscores the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and economic factors within food systems. For design, it emphasizes the need for designers to consider the broader impact of their solutions, moving beyond individual product functionality to address systemic issues like resource depletion, waste, and social equity.

06

What This Means for Your Design

Even rich countries aren't doing great at making food in a way that's good for people and the planet everywhere. We need to think about the whole system, not just one part.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Use the concept of food systems to frame your design challenge, identifying specific areas for improvement.
  • 2.Incorporate sustainability and equity as key design criteria for your solution.
  • 3.Justify design decisions by referencing the need to address systemic issues identified in global food system analyses.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

(2023). The state of food systems worldwide in the countdown to 2030. Nature Food. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43016-023-00885-9 Retrieved from https://designdex.org/study/199b0236-a66e-48e0-b330-4bc2fd1c17d0/global-food-systems-fall-short-on-sustainability-and-equity-goals

Paragraph starter

This project addresses the critical need for sustainable and equitable food systems, as highlighted by global analyses such as the Food Systems Countdown Initiative. Recognizing that no country excels across all food system domains, this design aims to mitigate negative impacts and promote positive outcomes within its specific context, focusing on [mention your specific design focus, e.g., reducing food waste, improving nutrient delivery, enhancing local food accessibility].

09

Source

Nature Food

The state of food systems worldwide in the countdown to 2030

journal · 2023

View source

Questions about this research

What does the research say about global food systems fall short on sustainability and equity goals?
Designers must move beyond single-product optimization and consider the holistic impact of their innovations on global food systems, addressing interconnected challenges of sustainability, equity, and health. Evidence: Nature Food (2023).
Why does "Global Food Systems Fall Short on Sustainability and Equity Goals" matter for design?
This research underscores the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and economic factors within food systems. For IB DT, it emphasizes the need for designers to consider the broader impact of their solutions, moving beyond individual product functionality to address systemic issues like resource depletion, waste, and social equity.
How can designers apply this research?
Designers must move beyond single-product optimization and consider the holistic impact of their innovations on global food systems, addressing interconnected challenges of sustainability, equity, and health.
What were the main findings?
No country ranks highest across all food system domains.. Some indicators of food system health are independent of national income.. Every country shows positive outcomes in some food system areas.
What research method was used?
Holistic Monitoring Framework and Indicator Analysis with All countries worldwide.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2023 journal from Nature Food.
What should I do differently in my next project?
When designing any product or service related to food, consider its impact on resource use, waste generation, nutritional outcomes, and social equity throughout its lifecycle.
What are the limitations?
The framework and data are subject to evolution as new indicators and better data emerge; the baseline assessment represents a snapshot in time.
Is there evidence that food systems affects design outcomes?
While every country has some strengths in its food system, none are performing optimally across all areas related to health, sustainability, and equity. Progress is uneven, and some crucial aspects of food system performance are not directly tied to a nation's wealth. This research underscores the interconnectedness of Source: Nature Food (2023).
Where does this sustainability equity research apply?
Global food systems It sits within sustainability research on designdex.org.

Related research topics

food systems design research · evidence on food systems · does food systems improve design outcomes · sustainability equity studies for designers · food systems and sustainability equity findings · sustainability research evidence