Publications

Bunge, A.C., Mazac, R., Clark, M. et al. Sustainability benefits of transitioning from current diets to plant-based alternatives or whole-food diets in Sweden. Nat Commun 15, 951 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-45328-6

Plant-based alternatives (PBAs) are increasingly becoming part of diets. Here, we investigate the environmental, nutritional, and economic implications of replacing animal-source foods (ASFs) with PBAs or whole foods (WFs) in the Swedish diet. Utilising two functional units (mass and energy), we model vegan, vegetarian, and flexitarian scenarios, each based on PBAs or WFs. Our results demonstrate that PBA-rich diets substan...

Hebinck, A., Selomane, O., Veen, E., de Vrieze, A., Hasnain, S., Sellberg, M., Sovová, L., Thompson, K., Vervoort, J. & Wood, A. 2021. Exploring the transformative potential of urban food. npj Urban Sustainability 1(1), 38.

Urban food is a key lever for transformative change towards sustainability. While research reporting on the urban food practices (UFPs) in support of sustainability is increasing, the link towards transformative potential is lacking. This is because research on urban food is often place-based and contextual. This limits the applicability of insights to large-scale sustainability transformations. This paper describes UFPs that ...

Wood A, Halloran A, Gordon L J.2021. Insight paper #4 of the Nordic food system transformation series. Stockholm Resilience Centre; Stockholm

This fourth Insight Paper of the Nordic food system transformation series explores the uncertainties associated with different food system futures. These uncertainties are mapped in relation to the three priorities of the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Vision 2030: a green, competitive and socially sustainable Nordic Region. This Insight Paper discusses a variety of tools that can be used to inform decision-making in uncertain s...

Wood A, Halloran A, Gordon L J.2021. Insight paper #4 of the Nordic food system transformation series. Stockholm Resilience Centre; Stockholm

This third Insight Paper of the Nordic food system transformation series draws on the multi-stakeholder dialogues discussed in Insight Paper #1 to identify key barriers related to food system transformation in the Nordic countries. Insight Paper #3 looks at what it will take to overcome the barriers currently slowing down transformation to sustainable food systems in the Nordic region. Insight paper #1 provides an overview ...

A safe operating space for New Zealand/Aotearoa: Translating the planetary boundaries framework. 2020. Report by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Stockholm Resilience Centre and the Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change. Commissioned by New Zealand Ministry for the Environment.

The purpose of the report is to translate the planetary boundaries framework for New Zealand to inform government approaches to environmental stewardship, well-being and economic development. • The planetary boundaries framework provides an international and long-term context for national policy setting. It can be used as a benchmark for measuring progress towards environmental goals. • The framework provides a systems view ...

Moberg, E., Karlsson Potter, H., Wood, A., Hansson, P.A. and Röös, E., 2020. Benchmarking the Swedish Diet Relative to Global and National Environmental Targets—Identification of Indicator Limitations and Data Gaps. Sustainability, 12(4), p.1407.

To reduce environmental burdens from the food system, a shift towards environmentally sustainable diets is needed. In this study, the environmental impacts of the Swedish diet were benchmarked relative to global environmental boundaries suggested by the EAT-Lancet Commission. To identify local environmental concerns not captured by the global boundaries, relationships between the global EAT-Lancet variables and the national Sw...

Wood A, Halloran A, Gordon L J.2020. Insight paper #2 of the Nordic food system transformation series: Eight opportunities for Nordic collaboration on food system challenges. Stockholm Resilience Centre; Stockholm

This second Insight Paper of the Nordic food system transformation series takes a Nordic perspective to food system challenges. Eight urgent food system challenges shared across Nordic countries are described that represent opportunities for regional collaboration. The benefits of Nordic collaboration on food systems are discussed, while acknowledging that not all food system issues are ‘Nordic’ in nature. Insight paper #1 ...

Wood A, Halloran A, Gordon L J.2020. Insight paper #1 of the Nordic food systemtransformation series: Towards sustainable Nordic foodsystems – project

This first installment of the Nordic food system transformation series introduces the project Towards sustainable Nordic food systems. The project aims to bring together policymakers and food system actors to explore‘what’s next’ when it comes to sustainable Nordic food systems. This Insight Paper explores the motivation for the project and details the process used to gain insights from stakeholders across the Nordic region re...

Wood, A., Gordon, L.J., Röös, E., Karlsson, J.O., Häyhä, T., Bignet, V., Rydenstam, T., Hård af Segerstad, L., Bruckner, M. 2019. Nordic food systems for improved health and sustainability: baseline assessment to inform transformation. Stockholm Resilience Centre; Stockholm.

Nordic countries can be a perfect leader in making the global food system healthier and more sustainable, but so far they are falling short on several dietary, health and environmental goals. Current diets in Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland* are contributing both to public health problems and a range of environmental impacts. About half the population is overweight, meat consumption is at least 4.5 times in excess of EAT-...

Willett, W., Rockström, J., Loken, B., Springmann, M., et.al. 2019. Food in the Anthropocene: the EAT–Lancet Commission on healthy diets from sustainable food systems. EAT-Lancet EAT–Lancet Commission on healthy diets from sustainable food systems DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31788-4

Food systems have the potential to nurture human health and support environmental sustainability; however, they are currently threatening both. Providing a growing global population with healthy diets from sustainable food systems is an immediate challenge. Although global food production of calories has kept pace with population growth, more than 820 million people have insufficient food and many more consume low-quality diet...