ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts covered in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book outlines what is meant by the notions of sustainable diets and sustainability. It introduces the need to pose questions about what are a good diet and a good food system. The book also builds on work begun by the UK Sustainable Development Commission in 2009. This proposed six core headings or clusters for food and sustainability: environment; health; social values; quality; economy; and governance. The book provides a review of the evidence and weaving in any solutions or policy responses, while taking a critical stance on how adequate these are. It also presents a review of existing metrics and methods such as life-cycle analysis, the measurement of carbon, water and nitrogen footprints, and various existing dietary health measures. The book also reviews definitions of a sustainable diet and evaluates formulations developed to date by governments, business and civil society.
