Introduction to the special issue on just food system transition : Tackling inequalities for sustainability

Abstract

This special issue builds understanding of just transitions by looking at specific dynamics in food system transitions. The articles in the special issue apply a multi-dimensional understanding of justice, which stress that in addition to distributional matters, also recognition and procedural justice require attention in transitions. The current injustices in the food system emphasize the interrelatedness of these dimensions. The special issue includes eight articles that scrutinize food system transition in various contexts from Finland to Brazil and from farm-level decision-making to the UN food system summit. The papers demonstrate the focality of recognition justice for interpreting contestations around sustainability transitions. They also draw attention to existing power imbalances that affect the alternative visions of sustainability and need attention for procedural justice. In future, salient power analysis and normative frameworks are required to spot trade-offs and blind spots in just transition.