What is (not) the point of just transition in food systems?

Abstract

Food systems are confronted with a low-carbon transition challenge. The need for significant emission reductions in industrial food systems implies significant systemic transformations in food production, processing, and consumption. The wide-reaching impacts of such transformations have evoked public discussion and academic research on just transition in food systems. The undisputable legitimacy of the idea of just transition makes it an attractive concept for all food system actors who might be affected by low-carbon transition policies in direct and indirect ways. Some of the claims that are being made are warranted claims for justice, some merely defend the achieved privileges and benefits. In addition, existing food injustices have evoked suggestions that just transition must be about making the food system overall just and sustainable. All these calls complexify low-carbon transition. How to make sense of these partly conflicting claims for justice and just transition in food systems?