Andrius Plepys
Lecturer
Sustainable lifestyle choices in food and their rebound effects
Author
Summary, in English
The urgency of addressing the sustainability crisis requires a comprehensive approach encompassing both technological advancements and changes in human behavior. Food represents a crucial domain where everyday choices closely intertwine with environmental and social impacts. This study investigates the interplay between sustainable food strategies and rebound effects, which refer to the reduced effectiveness of measures due to economic and psychological responses following efficiency improvements. Drawing from the "EU 1.5-degree Lifestyles" project, we identified nine impactful strategies through a literature review and expert interviews. These strategies include minimising food waste, consuming tap water instead of bottled alternatives, reducing animal-based products, adopting vegan and vegetarian diets, and choosing organic, seasonal vegetables and fruits and food sharing. The findings from this study are valuable for policymakers seeking to develop effective and sustainable food policies while mitigating rebound effects. By understanding the rebound mechanisms associated with individual food strategies, policymakers can enhance the overall effectiveness of their measures and address the sustainability crisis more systematically.
Department/s
- The International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics
Publishing year
2023-07-08
Language
English
Full text
- Available as PDF - 205 kB
- Download statistics
Document type
Conference paper
Topic
- Environmental Management
Keywords
- food consumption
- rebound effects
- lifestyle choices
Conference name
5th SCORAI, 21st ERSCP, and Wageningen University Conference
Conference date
2023-07-05 - 2023-07-07
Conference place
Wageningen, Netherlands
Status
Published
Project
- EU 1.5° Lifestyles