Food Climate Research Network - Phase 2

The UK is about to establish a binding target to reduce CO2 emissions by 60% over 1990 levels by 2050. The food chain accounts for around 20% of the nation's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. There is therefore a clear need for a body with a remit to examine this contribution and to explore how food-related emissions might be reduced. The Food Climate Research Network (FCRN) was established with this task in mind. Its principal aim has been to provide a comprehensive research, policy and communication resource on food-related aspects of climate change for the benefit of stakeholders and policy-makers along the food chain. The network's initial phase was funded by the EPSRC to the end of January 2008. Based at the University of Surrey's Centre for Environmental Strategy, the network has now accumulated a membership of 800. It is highly regarded as a research focus and knowledge broker by industry and government alike and is now seeking funds to build on this success. Recognising its unique contribution to food climate research and policy, the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra) has already agreed part funding of the next stage of the FCRN. This proposal sets out a programme of work for the continuation of the network over the next four years.The FCRN's purpose to date has been to map out the territory. Phase 1 synthesised a clear understanding of where the main food GHG impacts lie, explored key issues related to specific sectors in the food chain and developed some preliminary scenarios for what a less GHG-intensive system of production and consumption might look like. Taking an interdisciplinary approach, it explored not only the technological options for GHG reductions but also the economic, behavioural and societal context in which our food system is situated and its implications for sustainability. Research carried out during Phase 1 includes 4 extensive working papers relating to GHGs from the following areas: Fruit & vegetables; Alcoholic drinks; Food refrigeration; Meat & dairy products.A fifth paper providing an overview of food and climate change is in preparation.These working papers have provided the basis for numerous presentations in academic, business and policy arenas including, in particular, 5 seminars organised by the FCRN and involving academics, policy-makers and business stakeholders . The working papers have also provided the foundation for conference papers, journal papers, newspaper articles, and media appearances. A further core output (supported by co-funding from the Esme Fairburn foundation) is a comprehensive website, widely praised for its clear and extensive communication of research and policy findings related to food and climate change. The ongoing aim of the FCRN is to continue to provide a focus for research and policy on food and climate issues in the UK (and elsewhere). Specifically the FCRN aims to synthesise existing research and develop new research on the link between food and climate, to communicate this research to decision makers and to work with diverse stakeholders to help achieve key GHG reduction goals. In the next phase of the work programme, we intend to pursue this aim through an approach which encompasses the following core tasks:A.Research synthesis: Bringing together the huge body of research on food and climate change, and drawing out core themes and tensions; B.Knowledge-transfer: Communicating existing research knowledge to a wide variety of audiences all along the food chain, and in particular ensuring that policy makers are informed by the most up-to-date academic and industrial research; C.Building momentum for change: Engaging with policy makers, business, NGOs and the research community to raise awareness of the need for action and to encourage collaboration on contentious issues;D.Research development: Building proposals for new research in key areas to complement and extend existing knowledge.