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Soft innovations and Alternative Food Networks for sustainable agrifood systems
Full text linkEconomics as a science is rooted on the concept of finite resources. While resources are limited, humans have unlimited wants, hence they have to choose and make trade-offs: in other words, we have to efficiently allocate resources. Notwithstanding this very basic concept, the contemporary mass production and consumption models do not take into account resource scarcity and behave as if there exist no limit to growth and consumption. Luckily, however, after a few decades of academic debate, the topic of sustainability has been mainstreamed in politics and society as well. While global institutions started discussing and promoting sustainability since the early 1980’s, consumer awareness over sustainability issues is a more recent phenomenon, which has gained popularity since the early 2000’s.
The adoption of sustainable lifestyles and consumption behaviours among a growing number of consumers pushes suppliers to offer alternative products and processes which consume less resources, generate less pollution, are more easily and safely disposed at the end of their lifecycle, i.e. are more sustainable. Moreover, not only environmental concerns drive these consumers’ choiches: indeed, they usually take into account different aspects of the sustainability spectrum, and include ethical and social considerations as well. The research presented in this document explores the contemporary trends in alternative and ethical consumption behaviours, in particular in the field of food choice. Nutrition in its nature is a basic human need and deeply rooted into all cultures, however inefficiencies and negative externalities of the global industrial food system are extremely costly. In response to the drawbacks of the green revolution, governments, practitioners, and researchers explore alternative production systems, which are expected to be more sustainable. We are witnessing a soft form of agricultural innovation, not only based on technical progress, but also on social relationships and values. Hence, this research explores the motivations for consumers and producers to participate in Alternative Food Networks (AFNs), together with the individual and social gains which AFNs generate.
This document follows a three-paper structure. The first paper provides a broad review of the literature on agricultural economics and food production before and after sustainability became a leading concept, then provides an overview on present research trends linked to agrifood business and sustainable food production. The second paper presents an exploratory model to analyse consumer participation to, and satisfaction over AFNs. The spatial focus of this research is the Northeast Italy, as it is home to a broad variety of AFNs: farmers markets, community gardens, community-supported agriculture, box schemes, ethical purchasing groups. Finally, the third paper investigates the extreme trend of sustainable consumption and its spillovers, that is when consumers become producers: it reports a case study on the urban farming model of Ljubljana, and how urban farming, as a green infrastructure, contributes to build a sustainable city, generating goods, services, and amenities for the entire community
L'innovazione sociale e la seconda rivoluzione verde
No full textMODELLI ED ESPERIENZE DI INNOVAZIONE SOCIALE IN ITALIA
Secondo rapporto sull’innovazione sociale
a cura di Matteo G. Caroli
Studi ed esperienze sull’innovazione sociale – CERIIS
ISBN 9788891734044FrancoAngeli Lapassioneperleconoscenze
Il secondo rapporto sull’innovazione sociale in Italia pubblicato dal CERIIS (Centro di ricerche internazionali sull'innovazione sociale), analizza il fenomeno dell’innovazione sociale nel nostro Paese, attraverso la rilevazione di quasi 500 progetti ed esperienze e l’approfondimento di 56 casi di maggior rilevanza. Lo studio identifica le caratteristiche chiave dell’innovazione sociale e le principali condizioni che ne favoriscono lo sviluppo; evidenzia gli ambiti di rilievo sociale dove il fenomeno in questione risulta più frequente; le specificità dei soggetti tipicamente coinvolti e le modalità (appunto, innovative) con cui essi interagiscono nell’implementazione delle iniziative. Il lavoro approfondisce le condizioni che determinano la possibile sostenibilità economica dell’innovazione sociale, anche fornendo una stima dei finanziamenti pubblici che in questi anni ne hanno supportato l’avvio. Analizza, poi, quanto accade nell’ambito delle imprese “profit”, cogliendo la connessione tra innovazione e politiche di corporate social responsibility. Sulla base dei risultati derivanti dall’analisi di tali questioni, il rapporto presenta un set di proposte per l’elaborazione di una politica organica a favore dello sviluppo dell’innovazione sociale. Nella terza parte conclusiva, sono presentati alcuni contributi su particolari problematiche relative all’innovazione sociale, tra cui quella del coinvolgimento dei giovani. Due aspetti distinguono il Rapporto sull’innovazione sociale del CERIIS, rendendolo un punto di riferimento nel dibattito sulle nuove modalità di creazione di valore collettivo: l’attenta rappresentazione della realtà empirica del fenomeno, determinata dalla rilevazione di un numero molto ampio di esperienze a diversi stadi di sviluppo; l’approfondimento dei criteri pratici che permettono di distinguere l’innovazione sociale e i fattori da cui dipende il suo impatto
Food solidarity economy: evaluating transition community initiatives in Friuli Venezia Giulia region
Full text linkClimate change, ecological challenges, and economic and social crises imply paradigmatic and structural innovations. In the effort to drive transition toward sustainability, local communities often take the lead, mobilize support, and organize initiatives based on the principles of solidarity economy. Our study presents a qualitative evaluation and comparison of three local bottom-up initiatives from Friuli Venezia Giulia, a Northern Italian region, each following alternative and unique models of production and consumption of wheat and flour. The reconstruction of the transition paths of the experiences, together with documental analysis and interviews, allowed us to deduce the influence of alternative approaches and subsequent degree of effectiveness in building a community and driving it toward sustainability
Rasch analysis of consumer attitudes towards the mountain product label
Full text linkIn 2012 the European Union adopted the Regulation No. 1151/2012, which, among others, defines the legal framework to protect the originality and authenticity of mountain foods through the “Mountain Product” quality scheme. The research aims to analyze people’s attitudes towards mountain foods and the EU Mountain Product label, as well as their area of origin, i.e., the mountains. For the purpose of this research, the Rasch model was used since its properties make it suitable to identify the measure of interest. The results allow us to identify potential leverage to plan promotional activities in order to enhance the value of mountain food, raise awareness on the EU label, thus improving the sustainability of mountain farms and regions
University students' attitudes towards more climate-sustainable diets: An exploratory study in Italy
No full textThe global agri-food system is currently estimated to be responsible for a large amount of anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with agriculture being the second largest GHG emitter, right after the energy sector. It is, therefore, necessary to overhaul food system by intervening on both the supply and demand sides, including changes to dietary patterns. Indeed, plant-based diets are often cited as key to reducing GHG emissions when compared to animal-based diets.
The present study aims to explore young Italian adults' (late Millennials and Gen Z) perception of agri-food's climate impact and their awareness of mitigation strategies on the demand side. The study also seeks to investigate this same group's willingness to switch to more climate-sustainable diets. To evaluate the influence of scientific information, some respondents were randomly selected to be presented with graphical information on potential mitigation of GHG emissions. Furthermore, the research aims at identifying consumers' individual and group characteristics to support tailored approaches to promoting change. To this end, 531 university students were interviewed via an online questionnaire.
The results highlight the interviewees' good awareness of climate issues, albeit with some gaps regarding the climate impact of the agri-food system.
Findings also suggest that attitudes towards climate-sustainable diets differ depending on generation, gender and area of study.
The influence of the information about the climate impact of diets does not emerge as an explanatory variable of behavior with any certainty, even if some elements support this hypothesis.
If we are to see a greater willingness in individuals to change their diet, a comprehensive approach that intertwines nutritional and environmental education must be further nested into society and the higher education system, improving and integrating nutritional and environmental knowledge and education
GESTIONE COLLETTIVA DEI PATRIMONI FONDIARI MONTANI: LE ASSOCIAZIONI FONDIARIE E IL CASO DELL'ASFO ERBEZZO
Full text linkCenturies-long interactions between men and the mountains have shaped rural landscape, local biodiversity, rural culture and societies. However, urbanization and rural depopulation trends have compromised this delicate equilibrium, posing major concerns to the persistence of the cultural, economic and natural heritage, in particular in the Alps. Land ownership fragmentation is one of the leading factors of mountain depopulation in Latin Alps, hindering development and profitability of mountain agriculture. Land Consolidation Associations provide an alternative land asset management model, characterized by shared planning, management and use of multiple small land parcels. The paper presents the emergence and development of this co-ownership model in Italy, with a specific focus on the Land Consolidation Association of the Erbezzo Valley, at the foot of the Julian Alps. The Asfo Erbezzo case represents a successful experience of re-composition, collective management and recovery of small, underexploited, and often abandoned land parcels, and a unique sustainable development model, whose benefits are shared among original land owners as well as the local community as a whole
An inquiry on north-eastern Italian farmers' perception of climate change and related risks to agriculture
Full text linkEven though agricultural activities have always had to face systemic risk, increasing uncertainty linked to market conditions, policy revision and climate change require the adoption of extensive, functional and informed risk management strategies. Our study aims to investigate north-eastern Italian farmers’ perception of climate change-related risks and attitudes towards adaptation strategies, in order to promote the adoption of effective communication strategies and the development of more attractive insurance schemes to widen famers’ interests. Cross-sectional survey data were analysed using structural equation modelling to explore concerns over the impact of climate change on agricultural activities and identify the factors that promote the adoption of coping strategies. According to the results, the actual experience of negative consequences linked to specific extreme meteorological events is the main driver for the adoption of mitigation strategies. Further efforts on awareness of climate change and its consequences, coupled with the provision of simpler and more tailored insurance schemes, are required to support a widespread diffusion of adaptation strategies among farmers
Consumers’ acceptance of genome edited food and the role of information
Full text linkThe application of biotechnology and genetics to plant science and agronomy is at the basis of the new breeding techniques, including Genome Editing (GE). A choice experiment was undertaken to investigate Italian consumers’ preferences for bread made with gene-edited wheat. Respondents were randomly assigned one of the two versions of a questionnaire, including either a neutral or negatively biased definition of GE. Results demonstrate that the information effect is limited, which confirms that consumers are struggling to understand new breeding techniques. The scientific community should therefore develop better communication strategies for society to comprehensively understand biotechnologies and support policymakers in the definition of informed regulations
Consumer satisfaction in Alternative Food Networks (AFNs): Evidence from Northern Italy
Full text linkThe emergence of Alternative Food Networks (AFNs) has drawn the attention of researchers from various fields, who try to understand and explain these new phenomena. The purpose of this paper is to explore how personal attitude and product quality perception influence relative satisfaction over participation in AFNs, therefore contributing to the literature on socially conscious consumerism. Structural Equation Modeling is used to investigate the determinants of consumers’ attitudes towards AFNs, its influence on perceived quality of food products, and their relative influence over satisfaction with participation in AFNs. A survey was conducted among 210 AFN participants. The results from this study suggest that consumers’ attitude towards AFNs directly influences the perceived quality of food products; moreover, the analysis confirms the relationship between these two elements and overall satisfaction with participation in AFNs. Finally, the research provides suggestions on how to improve consumers’ involvement and mainstream AFNs
LA PARTECIPAZIONE DEI MILLENNIALS ALL’AGRICOLTURA URBANA: UN’ANALISI EMPIRICA
Full text linkEmerging global trends in urbanization and population growth put at risk the sustainability and resilience of current food production and consumption models. Growing urbanization of rural people reduces the availability of agricultural workforce, while demand for food is increasing. For these reasons, a revision of food production strategies and policies is necessary to guarantee food security. Under this perspective, a growing number of municipalities are adopting urban agriculture and urban gardening as means to increase food production in the city and provide ecosystem services. Our study applies the Theory of Planned Behavior to analyze the attitude of younger Millennials towards urban farming. According to the results, social pressure is the primary catalyst for deciding to undertake urban agriculture and self-production of food. The integration of these evidences in urban food policies is discussed in the conclusion
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