Sustainability beyond the triple bottom line: evaluating transformative change in food systems
The concept of ‘sustainability’ has developed into a rich discourse concerned with diverse human responsibilities in our economic life, and as such it is in constant danger of over-simplification. The conventional two-way analysis of sustainability, into (1) human needs as ends and (2) means to meet...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2024.1483942/full |
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| author | Richard M. Gunton Richard M. Gunton Jan van der Stoep Yoseph Araya Henk Jochemsen |
| author_facet | Richard M. Gunton Richard M. Gunton Jan van der Stoep Yoseph Araya Henk Jochemsen |
| author_sort | Richard M. Gunton |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The concept of ‘sustainability’ has developed into a rich discourse concerned with diverse human responsibilities in our economic life, and as such it is in constant danger of over-simplification. The conventional two-way analysis of sustainability, into (1) human needs as ends and (2) means to meet such needs, and the scheme of nine planetary boundaries, are taken as starting points for a more balanced proposal set out in this conceptual paper. Inspired by the framework of Doughnut Economics and drawing on a collection of recent articles in this journal, we identify a set of 12 aspects for evaluating transformative change and apply them to food systems: seven typically instrumental goods (means) and five typically final goods (ends). Recognising that such classifications are worldview-dependent, however, our ‘home model’ breaks down the 12 aspects into 37 criteria as the basis for a practical tool for evaluating particular business models and policy initiatives. The paper concludes by offering a philosophical account of transformative change and identifying institutional factors crucial for local progress towards sustainability transitions, in food systems and also more broadly. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-82f50438cdcd4c68a1ed1e403d82c260 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2571-581X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems |
| spelling | doaj-art-82f50438cdcd4c68a1ed1e403d82c2602025-01-17T16:22:12ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems2571-581X2025-01-01810.3389/fsufs.2024.14839421483942Sustainability beyond the triple bottom line: evaluating transformative change in food systemsRichard M. Gunton0Richard M. Gunton1Jan van der Stoep2Yoseph Araya3Henk Jochemsen4Department of Digital Technologies, University of Winchester, University of Winchester, Winchester, United KingdomDepartment of Physical and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, United KingdomPhilosophy Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, NetherlandsSchool of Environment, Earth & Ecosystem Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, United KingdomPhilosophy Group, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, NetherlandsThe concept of ‘sustainability’ has developed into a rich discourse concerned with diverse human responsibilities in our economic life, and as such it is in constant danger of over-simplification. The conventional two-way analysis of sustainability, into (1) human needs as ends and (2) means to meet such needs, and the scheme of nine planetary boundaries, are taken as starting points for a more balanced proposal set out in this conceptual paper. Inspired by the framework of Doughnut Economics and drawing on a collection of recent articles in this journal, we identify a set of 12 aspects for evaluating transformative change and apply them to food systems: seven typically instrumental goods (means) and five typically final goods (ends). Recognising that such classifications are worldview-dependent, however, our ‘home model’ breaks down the 12 aspects into 37 criteria as the basis for a practical tool for evaluating particular business models and policy initiatives. The paper concludes by offering a philosophical account of transformative change and identifying institutional factors crucial for local progress towards sustainability transitions, in food systems and also more broadly.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2024.1483942/fullenvironmentwelfaresocialeconomicharmonyjustice |
| spellingShingle | Richard M. Gunton Richard M. Gunton Jan van der Stoep Yoseph Araya Henk Jochemsen Sustainability beyond the triple bottom line: evaluating transformative change in food systems Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems environment welfare social economic harmony justice |
| title | Sustainability beyond the triple bottom line: evaluating transformative change in food systems |
| title_full | Sustainability beyond the triple bottom line: evaluating transformative change in food systems |
| title_fullStr | Sustainability beyond the triple bottom line: evaluating transformative change in food systems |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sustainability beyond the triple bottom line: evaluating transformative change in food systems |
| title_short | Sustainability beyond the triple bottom line: evaluating transformative change in food systems |
| title_sort | sustainability beyond the triple bottom line evaluating transformative change in food systems |
| topic | environment welfare social economic harmony justice |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2024.1483942/full |
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