Measuring Sustainability in the Food Chain

Lead researcher: Dr. Natalia Yakovleva (Alumni)

Background
In order to make the transition to a sustainable model of food production and consumption, there is a need to identify the mechanisms for its delivery and monitor the system in its progress towards sustainability objectives. Measuring the sustainability effects of the food production and consumption system is crucial for the understanding of processes and features of the system and identification of issues and areas that require change. Measurement is important for modelling, forecasting, constructing and managing a desirable sustainable food system and, importantly, for testing alternative strategies developed for sustainable food production and consumption.
The project involved a development of indicators for measuring sustainability of the food supply chain within the three dimensions of sustainability: economic, social and environmental. A set of sustainability indicators is proposed to measure the effects of the food supply chain that comprises of stages of agriculture, food processing, food wholesaling, food retailing and food catering.

Outputs
Journal articles
Yakovleva, N. (2007) Editorial introduction: measuring the sustainability of the food system. Journal of Environmental Policy and Planning, 9 (1), pp. 1-3.
Yakovleva, N. (2007) Measuring the sustainability of the food supply chain: a case study of the UK. Journal of Environmental Policy and Planning, 9 (1), pp. 75-100.
Working Papers
Yakovleva, N., Sarkis, J. & Sloan, T. (2009) "Sustainable Benchmarking of food supply chains", George Perkins Marsh Institute Working Paper No. 2009-02, April 2009.
Presentations
Yakovleva, N. (2005) "Sustainability indicators for the UK food supply chain", presented at the BRASS Seminar on Measuring Sustainability of the Food Supply Chain, Cardiff University, 27 October 2005.
Yakovleva, N. (2005) "Measuring the sustainability of the food system: a case study of the UK", paper presented at the 11th Annual International Sustainable Development Research Conference, Helsinki, Finland, 6-8 June 2005.
Seminar
BRASS Seminar on Measuring Sustainability of the Food Supply Chain, Glamorgan Building, Cardiff University, 27 October 2005.