Sustainable management: socio-ecological transformation of the food system. Shaping the future by involving pioneers of change and economically relevant actors (STErn)

The aim of the project is to develop a political roadmap for the socio-ecological transformation of the food system in Germany. The roadmap identifies short-, medium- and long-term starting points, instruments and measures to support this transformation process and shows the political options and needs for action. Where relevant, it also identifies federal policy options which can help to advance the transformation of the food system at European and, where appropriate, international level. The project focuses on the following thematic areas: 1. development of a regionalisation concept: Based on an analysis of existing concepts for a stronger regionalisation of the food system in Germany and an examination of the resulting effects (in terms of environmental impacts, resilience, security of supply, health, inclusion and other economic and social effects), an independent regionalisation concept for Germany will be developed in a participatory way and possibilities for political implementation will be identified. 2. change towards a more plant-based diet: For the dietary shift towards more plant-based and less animal-based food, the effectiveness of (political) interventions will be examined and a roadmap with concrete proposals for action, a quantifiable goal and concrete effectiveness indicators will be drawn up together with the relevant actors from research, industry, politics and civil society. 3. developing scenarios and (further) development concepts for the organic farming and food sector: Together with the relevant actors inside and outside the organic sector, ambitious scenarios for the further development of the organic farming and food sector in Germany are developed, solutions for overcoming existing weaknesses are identified, key elements of a communication strategy are drafted and political options for action are presented. The role of the financial sector in the transformation of the food system is analysed as a cross-cutting issue.

More information about the project

Status of project

End of project: 2023

Project manager

Project staff

Dr. Florian Antony
Head of Subdivision Sustainable Food Systems & Lifestyles / Senior Researcher Sustainable Products & Material Flows
Christoph Brunn
Deputy Head of Division / Senior Researcher Environmental Law & Governance
Cara-Sophie Scherf
Dr. Jenny Teufel
Head of Subdivision Sustainable Food Systems & Lifestyles / Senior Researcher Sustainable Products & Material Flows
Dr. Franziska Wolff

Funded by

German Environment Agency (UBA)

Project partners

Bund Ökologische Lebensmittelwirtschaft (BÖLW)
e-fect dialog evaluation consulting eG
Ecologic Institut gGmbH

Website of project