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Review article2024Peer reviewedOpen access

Environmental sustainability of food production and consumption in the Nordic and Baltic region - a scoping review for Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023

Harwatt, Helen; Benton, Tim G.; Bengtsson, Jan; Birgisdottir, Bryndis Eva; Brown, Kerry Ann; van Dooren, Corne; Erkkola, Maijaliisa; Graversgaard, Morten; Halldorsson, Thorhallur; Hauschild, Michael; Hoyer-Lund, Anne; Meinila, Jelena; van Oort, Bob; Saarinen, Merja; Tuomisto, Hanna L.; Trolle, Ellen; Ogmundarson, Olafur; Blomhoff, Rune

Abstract

This scoping review examines environmental impacts related to food production and consumption in Nordic and Baltic countries. The overarching advice to all Nordic and Baltic countries, in line with the current body of scientific literature, is to shift to a more plant-based dietary pattern and avoid food waste. Taking into account current consumption patterns, there is a high potential and necessity to shift food consumption across the countries to minimise its environmental impact. More specifically, a substantial reduction in meat and dairy consumption and increased consumption of legumes/pulses, whole grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds are suggested as a priority intervention. Reducing the environmental impacts of seafoods is also key and suggestions include a shift to sea- foods with lower environmental impacts such as seaweed and bivalves. As part of the suggested transition to a more plant-based diet, the scope for increasing the provision of plant-based foods through increasing the cultivation of legumes/pulses, vegetables, and grains and through feed-to-food shifts within the region should be explored.

Keywords

Dietary guidelines; nutrition recommendations; sustainable diets; sustainable consumption; food policy; agriculture; climate change; biodiversity loss; land use; planetary boundaries

Published in

Food and Nutrition Research
2024, volume: 68, article number: 10539
Publisher: SWEDISH NUTRITION FOUNDATION-SNF

SLU Authors

Associated SLU-program

SLUsystematic

UKÄ Subject classification

Nutrition and Dietetics
Environmental Sciences

Publication identifier

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.29219/fnr.v68.10539

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/139893