ABSTRACT
This chapter draws together some of the insights from Chapters 6 to 8 with a particular emphasis on the dynamics of the transition and the factors likely to advance and facilitate it and those more likely to pose obstacles to progress. The chapter explains how carbon budgets help set emission reduction goals for sectors of the national economy and emphasises the need for a whole systems approach to transitioning to net zero. It maps the forces influencing the key sets of actors, farmers, consumers, companies and government. The economics of farming and agricultural support will be crucial, although there is likely to be a need for stricter regulation too. Understandings of consumer behaviour change are becoming more sophisticated, but a political reluctance to act to shape food choices remains a barrier. Food companies are already innovating in response to changing consumer trends and the machinery of government is being reformed to strengthen focus and grip on greenhouse gas emission reductions.
