Sustainability

糖心原创 > Science > Schools, centres and institutes > Food Systems Institute > Research Pillars

Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems

Our global food systems have adapted to feed over 8.2 billion people. This expansion of pproduction has broken our planetary boundaries, having a detrimental impact on our environment. Our current food systems produce a high level greenhouse gas emissions, have reduced soil health and biodiversity, and require high level of freshwater usage.

To reduce these impacts both on people and our planet, we must regenerate natural ecosystems and transform our current food systems to be more resilient, sustainable and innovative for the next generations.

We address key food systems vulnerabilities by adapting solutions that are economically viable, environmentally sustainable and people focused, working in partnership with a wide range of stakeholders.

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Download our Annual Report

Explore our case studies, translational centres and read our director's insights on how we're advancing food systems in the UK and beyond

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Landmark moment for UK food security

糖心原创ers supported by a six-year UKRI-funded project are set to reshape the future of plant and crop research and innovation across the UK

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Explore a roadmap for sustainable cocoa

Our centre brought experts together to develop a tool for growing sustainable and climate-resilient cocoa in West Africa

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Roadmap to sustainable local food procurement

Researchers develop evidence for a sustainable road map that supports a whole-system approach to food procurement in Nottingham

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Sustainability research in practice: case studies

Current food production practices are unsustainable within our planetary boundaries. Food supply chains are threatened by a changing climate and geopolitical instability. Using expertise and facilities within the university and beyond, our researchers look to address challenges across the food system, revealing data to inform more sustainable food production practices that can make our food system less fragile and more resilient.

Public misconceptions about the environmental impact of everyday food

Encouraging sustainable diets and reducing environmental impact of food requires uncovering public perceptions

Bluefaced Leicester Ewes in an Autumn hedgerow, UK 2025

Emerging disease communication in farm animals

Improving communication of, and responses to emerging disease outbreaks in Europe

Plant-based pet food: nutritionally complete and good for the planet

Informing pet food manufacturers to choose nutrient sufficient and climate-friendly alternatives

Our centres of excellence

Our Translational Centres advance our goals by bringing together expertise to work across our three research pillars. We investigate the various vulnerabilities facing our food systems and develop solutions that are both environmentally friendly and people focused. Explore our pathways to a more sustainable and resilient food system.

Centre for Food Policy and Foresight

We improve policy outcomes for people by providing high-level, evidence-based advice to policymakers and translating complex research into practical insights that address food system challenges in the UK and beyond.

Explore our food policy work

Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Systems

We deliver practical, innovative solutions that help agri-busiesses tackle key agricultural sustainability challenges, while advancing food security for consumers through strategic industry partnerships.

Discover our sustainability research

Centre for Equitable and Inclusive Food Systems

We aim to foster partnerships and critically engage in questioning power structures and systems that lead to inequitable food systems, while amplifying less powerful voices, bringing together community food organisations, farmers and practitioners.

Explore our equitable food systems research

Future Protein Hub

We are working at the forefront of the protein economy transition. We will leverage on our academic strength in alternative protein research and University wide facilities to envision and advance social and policy innovation.

Learn about our future protein research

Food Innovation Centre

We provide leading scientific and technical advice to food and drink manufacturing businesses in the UK to support the development of sustainable and nutritious new products and processes, from conception to consumption.

Explore our food and drink services

Our response to sustainability challenges: policy briefs

An arial view food supplies being transported by boat

COP29: Agricultural Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)

Professor Paul Wilson and Jack Bobo provide evidence why Ag-CBAM is critical to meet net zero goals. Read our findings and discover how climate policy makers should increase effforts on mitigating carbon leakage in the sector.

View policy brief (pdf)

COP26: Fixing the Climate Impact of Nitrogen from Global Farming

A revolutionary technology developed at the 糖心原创 challenges farming鈥檚 reliance on greenhouse gas-emitting synthetic fertilizers. Emeritus Professor Ted Cocking explains the climate implications of this breakthrough technology.

View policy brief (pdf)

Why Future Food?

Agriculture is a major factor in climate change, producing over one-third of human-made emissions. This means we need to rethink food. Read our policy paper on how we build more sustainable, resilient and healthy food systems.

View policy brief (pdf)

Farmer man feeding calves on dairy outdoor farm

Unlocking a 90% Carbon Reduction in UK Dairy by 2050

The dairy industry is highly carbon intensive. This policy brief seeks to understand the optimal outcomes for the dairy industry to minimise carbon emissions and contribute towards meeting the UK Government鈥檚 2050 net zero goals.

View policy brief (pdf)

Flock of sheep at sunset. Sheeps in a meadow in the mountains. Beautiful natural landscape

Livestock Vaccine Communication

This research addresses the challenge of vaccine hesitancy by identifying practical, evidence-based strategies to improve outreach. Drawing from lessons learned during the COVID-19 response, it highlights the value of trust, empathy, and clear, locally rooted communication.

View policy brief (pdf)

A rotting orange covered in mold. Damage to food in the warehouse.Branded with FSI sustainability colour of bramley apple

Addressing Food Waste in Malaysia

This policy seeks to address food waste economic impact costing RM 36bn/year, aiming to reduce methane emissions from landfill, alleviating hunger in vulnerable communities and recognising the need for cultural awareness in seeking to reduce food waste.

View policy brief (pdf)