The aim is to continue with the application of the value-chain approach in the high-impact sectors of food, construction and plastics and thereby ensuring its scientific foundation. These three sectors are prioritised based on the Fourth UN Environment Assembly Resolution, and the One Planet recommendations to the High-Level Political Forum.
The future discussions will also consider how best to extend the uptake of the value-chain approach to other key sectors.
Turning science into action: the Value-Chain Approach
The value-chain approach is a methodology for science-based policy action on sustainable consumption and production. Its purpose is to identify key points of intervention within economic systems to reduce natural-resource use and environmental impacts caused by production and consumption, and to define a common agenda for action.
Critically, the value-chain approach goes beyond an understanding of where resource use and environmental impacts occur, to understand why this is happening and what the key points of intervention are for science-based policy action.
Read the report here
Shaping clear priorities for the food sector
Through consultation and collaboration, the Value-Chain Approach identifies where solutions already exist at key intervention points, and where there are gaps and opportunities, and defines a clear priorities that can transform the system. This participatory approach taps into the bodies of lay and practical knowledge that are collectively held among SCP practitioners, as well as ensuring their crucial buy-in for the implementation of prioritised objectives.
As one of the high-impact sectors, Food was the focus of the first set of consultations series concentrating on innovative business and policy solutions, which was undertaken in April and May 2021 in the form of 5 expert workshops, each focusing on the prioritized stage of the food value-chain. Click on each of the workshops to learn more:
- Food services and tourism, 8th April
- Agricultural inputs, food traders and primary production, 15th April
- Food processing/manufacturing and retail, 22nd April
- Individual consumption, 29th April
- Food-related policies and policy instruments, 6th May
The objectives of these workshops were to socialise the findings of the report, present key messages, opportunities and challenges identified during the consultative workshops and engage with experts to contribute to the development of clear priorities for the food sector.
You can find further information on the workshops here. The network is currently working on an outcome document containing key messages from the consultations, mapping of best practice initiatives and next steps.
