Abstract
For a transition to a circular economy to take place, behavioural change from people who are part of the transition is a key requirement. However, this change often does not occur by itself. For systemic behavioural change, policy instruments that incentivise behaviour supporting circular food systems play a key role. These instruments need to be aligned with the environment in which the behaviour takes place. In this study, we scrutinise a case study with five initiatives on the reduction of food loss and waste (FLW) contributing to a circular food system, to understand how specific, well-targeted combinations of instruments as well as other contextual and personal factors can fuel the transition to a circular economy and the reduction of FLW. All the initiatives are taking place under the umbrella of the Dutch initiative “United against food waste” (STV). We use a behavioural change perspective to assess how initiatives that support circular food systems arise and how they can be further supported. Based on the case-study analysis, we arrive at five common success traits and barriers, and five key needs for upscaling. We conclude that motivated, inspiring frontrunners are of key importance in the initial phase of a transition process. However, once a niche initiative is ready to be scaled up, the enabling environment becomes increasingly important.
Highlights
Accepted: 2 July 2021We live in an era of climate crisis and steep global population growth, combined with inefficient resource use and food distribution systems, as well as high levels of food losses and waste globally (e.g., [1])
The identified personal and contextual drivers and barriers have been combined with the elements from the Behavioural Change Wheel [4] for an adapted framework which offers a new perspective on behavioural change towards circular economy (CE)
We first draw from the food systems approach, as outlined—amongst others—by van Berkum et al [7], and in Section 3.3.2, we introduce the behavioural change wheel as developed by Michie et al [4]
Summary
We live in an era of climate crisis and steep global population growth, combined with inefficient resource use and food distribution systems, as well as high levels of food losses and waste globally (e.g., [1]). The linear “take, make and dispose” model, which has been underpinning industrial society, relying on large quantities of cheap, accessible materials and energy sources, is reaching its limits [2]. For these reasons, the transition from a linear towards a circular economy and climate-neutral or even climate-positive society is one of the most vital challenges of our time. The policy aims for economic development, and job creation is combined with an aim for a reduction of the pressure on the environment, including the reduction of carbon emissions, use of water, land and production inputs [2]
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