ABSTRACT

Sustainable food systems are a fundamental requirement for both human and environmental health. This has long been recognised, with policies, programmes and actions from global to local levels over several decades. This chapter reviews significant events and initiatives led by the United Nations (UN), beginning with the UN Conference on the Human Environment in 1972 and culminating in the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015. Core indicators for characterising food systems and quantifying environmental sustainability are presented and discussed. Europe, Cuba, Malawi, Brazil and China are used as examples of successful policies and interventions. Threats to the sustainability of food systems, including biodiversity loss and environmental degradation from conventional agriculture are reviewed. Finally, selected priorities and recommendations are highlighted for actions to remediate food systems for the health of humankind and the planet.