At the Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit in Tokyo held on 7-8th December, the TMG Think Thank side event on True Cost Accounting (TCA) explores integrated valuation tools for a sustainable food systems transformation.
The Töpfer Müller Gaßner GmbH (TMG) as a "Think Tank for Sustainability" supports the implementation of sustainable development targets and the Paris Climate Agreement.
The food choices we make each day are determined by an array of factors, including our economic situation, cultural background, and personal preferences. When added up, these and other individual decisions have a profound impact on how food is produced and distributed, and ultimately, on our health, livelihoods and the natural environment.
It is estimated that today's agri-food systems account for approximately 24 percent of greenhouse gas releases and 70 percent of freshwater withdrawals.
Agriculture is the primary driver of tropical deforestation and biodiversity loss, and increases the risk of future pandemics.
At the same time, between 720 and 811 million people in the world faced hunger in 2020, an increase of more than 160 million in just one year. At current food prices, at least three billion people cannot afford a healthy diet. The COVID-19 pandemic has further revealed just how unsustainable, vulnerable and 'grotesquely unjust' our food systems are.
The market value of global food is estimated to be around nine trillion US dollars, but external costs to the environment and society are estimated to be nearly double this figure, at 19.8 trillion US dollars. This means that the food we purchase costs roughly a third of what it would if costs to society – such as environmental degradation or health costs – were taken into account. While it can induce some behavior change, simply raising the price of food is unlikely to address the underlying environmental, social and health impacts of our distorted food systems.
Just how do we transform our food systems to be more sustainable and resilient while delivering healthy diets to all?
This was the hotly debated question at the Nutrition for Growth (N4G) 2021 Summit side event 'Counting the True Cost: How Understanding the Real Cost of Food can Improve Nutrition for All'. While True Cost Accounting (TCA) is still in its infancy, several TCA case studies presented at the session helped illustrate how TCA assessments help identify value across all four capitals: natural, human, produced, and social. For example, COMACO, a social enterprise in Zambia, strengthens livelihood opportunities by promoting regenerative agricultural practices, hence contributing to environmental protection. By linking farmers to multiple market opportunities, the project also contributes to higher economic returns.
TMG Research and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) launched their recently published report 'True Cost Accounting and Dietary Standards' at the session. The report offers practical guidance for policy makers and other stakeholders on how to incentivize sustainable and healthy food consumption while staying within planetary boundaries.
The N4G side event takes place with reference to the newly published report by TMG and WWF on True Cost Accounting.
Carrots and Sticks
Private sector representatives at the side event described how they have started to use TCA to assess the sustainability of their portfolios. Some companies also use TCA analyses to encourage their clients and business networks to invest in more sustainable products and businesses.
Many speakers concurred that incentives are much more effective than punitive measures in driving behavioral change. Discussing the application of the sugar tax, for example, it was noted that many companies simply use other sugar substitutes that can be even more harmful than plain sugar. The US-based Wholesome Wave Foundation is an example of an incentive-based policy that has triggered positive behavioral change. The programme rewards low-income households for purchasing fresh food and vegetables at farmers markets. A recent analysis of a follow up US Farm Bill pilot that extended the incentive programme to grocery stores found an average five percent increase in fruit and vegetable purchases in comparison to stores that are not part of the programme.
Research affirms that there is an increasing spectrum of businesses that are committed to improving their sustainability portfolio. However, the primary interest is improving within-business metrics against either an industry standard or an internal standard. There are currently very few businesses that question their entire business model by examining issues such as: ‘If the focus is on healthy and sustainable dietary patterns should my business exist in its current scale or scope?
The TMG/WWF report argues that tapping the transformational potential of TCA requires greater policy emphasis on the consumption (or demand side) of our food systems. Such a focus would seek to reduce the unintended consequences of "cheap food" by targeting our unhealthy and unsustainable diets, which are contributing to overconsumption and food waste, while also limiting access to adequate and nutritious food for all.
By allowing for integrated analyses of our food systems, TCA also offers a useful organizing tool for building 'alliances of change' to transform the food sector.
For example, national dietary guidelines are in place for over 100 countries, but only a few consider environmental sustainability, social welfare, or right to food questions. Data and analysis gathered through TCA studies can provide a coherent message and an organizing framework for diverse stakeholders and interest groups.
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An Artikel by the Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains (INA)
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Until Easter 2022, GIZ publishes a new episode every fortnight introducing people who are committed to fair and sustainable cocoa in Côte d'Ivoire and Germany.
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A Contribution by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development
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A Contribution by Harry Hoffmann (TMG) & Nathalie Demel (WHH)
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With a simple but effective idea to combat malnutrition: in Nairobi, Fabio Rappenecker and his start-up TenX Nutrition produce mandazi, which become a real power biscuit thanks to added micronutrients. The aim is to strengthen food security through local, affordable and healthy food.
A Contribution by Global Donor Platform for Rural Development
The Global Donor Platform for Rural Development has recently published a new White Paper titled “Financing Agrifood Systems for People, Planet and Prosperity.” It outlines a practical agenda to unlock the capital, partnerships, and innovation required to drive change at scale.
A Conversation with Shakuntala Thilsted & Andreas Schaumayer
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At the ICTforAg conference in March 2022, the digital agriculture community exchanged on the challenges and opportunities associated with the next green revolution.
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Four interviews kick off the relaunch under the new name „Food4Transformation“, asking the same questions from different perspectives. Mareike Haase and Stig Tanzmann from Brot für die Welt explain why the right to food, inclusivity, agroecology and food sovereignty are the central levers for a successful transformation.
Four interviews kick off the relaunch under the new name „Food4Transformation“, asking the same questions from different perspectives. Dr Julia Köhn, Chair of the German AgriFood Society, points out in the interview: Only if innovation and transformation are profitable in the medium term can they close the food gap in the long term.
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A Campaign of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development
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A Contribution by Initiative für nachhaltige Agrarlieferketten (INA)
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A contribution by Heike Baumüller, Christine Husmann, Julia Machovsky-Smid, Oliver Kirui, Justice Tambo
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New insights on trade and value addition in the rice sector in West Africa
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Interview with Caroline Milow and Ramon Brentführer
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