The coalition for climate-proof agriculture supports the transition to sustainable food systems that are both more resilient to a changing climate and strengthen regional self-reliance. Our activities aims to support this transition within the Dutch context, with particular attention to the region of Twente and the broader East Netherlands.
The challenge
The global food system is facing increasing pressure due to the combined impacts of climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss, resource depletion, high demand and geopolitical instability. These pressures lead to disrupted supply chains, rising food prices, and increasing vulnerability for both producers and consumers. At the same time, it has long been clear that our current food systems are not sustainable, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity loss and land degradation. Climate change and geopolitics are forcing a response which we have known is needed for many decades. This critical moment represents also an opportunity to initiate the transition to sustainable food systems. Such a transition has to be grounded in regional realities, capacities, and values.
Shorter-term objectives
The coalition will bring together the UTs research community from multiple disciplines and regional stakeholders in order to:
- Generate a knowledge agenda that identifies the gaps, needs and priorities for a regional food system transition with a focus on the high sandy-soils of Twente and the Eastern Netherlands. This includes assessing the scientific, policy, economical, and societal dimensions of the change needed.
- Create a vision and model of a sustainable regional food system, incorporating land use, biodiversity, agriculture production, dietary needs, and socio-economic factors. Through this effort we will explore future scenarios and their trade-offs.
Coalition leads
