Agriculture is a major driver of biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation and human-driven climate change. Most food systems today neither provide sustainable livelihoods nor sufficient and healthy diets. At TMG, we recognise the urgent need to transform our food systems to support the resilience of our ecosystems, ensure equitable access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food, and provide secure livelihoods for farmers.
Drawing on in-depth scientific knowledge, and our long-standing experience in the governance of food systems, we advise and shape agricultural policy reforms at national and regional level. In partnership with leading food producers and financial institutions in Europe, we seek to build broad alliances to co-design economic and financial systems that account for the harmful environmental and social costs of current food systems, opening up avenues for their transformation.
Digitalization
Exploring the role of digitalization and social innovation for inclusive and resilient food systems.
While there are many successful development initiatives in the African region, entrenched structural inequalities and power asymmetries continue to lock out millions of people from taking charge of their own development aspirations.
Food Systems Transformation
Exploring equitable transformation pathways for a sustainable future of food systems
The global food system is broken – it is unsustainable, unhealthy, unjust, and in dire need of transformation. Our food systems contribute to climate change, biodiversity loss, unhealthy diets, hunger, and social inequality. There is need for fundamental changes to the way our food is grown, processed, distributed, and consumed. This aspiration is at the heart of the shift from the old agricultural productivity paradigm towards food systems, in line with the concept of planetary boundaries and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
True Cost Accounting in Agri-food Systems
Developing integrated accounting standards for the food and farming sector
Standard accounting and economic evaluation systems do not take full account of all four capitals − produced, natural, social and human − that are involved in the production, processing, marketing and consumption of food, and related services. This means that businesses and other actors are often not held liable for the negative externalities of their activities. Instead, the costs are often borne by society, and the environment. Examples include paying more for clean water due to the cost of removing pesticides from water sources, or higher prices for food due to reduced harvests from poorly managed soils.
Unveiling the Political Landscape of True Cost Accounting
Governance in der Sonderinitiative „EINEWELT ohne Hunger“: Wer steuerte was wohin?
From Data to Action: Socially Embedded and Inclusive Digitalization for Food Systems Transformation
Harnessing policy thinking within development cooperation to strengthen the governance of food systems transformation
Towards a new economic and governance approach for food systems transformation
The SEWOH Lab – From Data to Action
Policy Brief
From Data to Action Socially Embedded and Inclusive Digitalization for Food Systems Transformation
This policy brief presents an emerging consensus on the conditions needed to ensure that digitalization shapes food systems transformation in a positive way.
Written by Larissa Stiem-Bhatia, David Betge, Clare Crowe Pettersson
Published on Feb 28, 2024
Report
Zur Governance der Transformation von Agrar- und Ernährungssystemen - Eine politische Analyse der Sonderinitiative »EINEWELT ohne Hunger« (SEWOH)
Die vorliegende Studie analysiert explorativ die Governance – also die politische Steuerung – der Sonderinitiative »EINEWELT ohne Hunger« (SEWOH), welche von 2014 bis 2022 durch das BMZ realisiert wurde.
Written by Jörg Schindler, Dr. Harry Hoffmann
Published on Jan 15, 2024
Policy Brief
Governor's Day with Farmers - An emerging governance innovation in Kakamega County, Kenya
This policy brief highlights learnings from the Governor’s Day with Farmers, a platform established by Shibuye Community Health Workers and the Kakamega County Farmers’ Association with support from TMG Research.
Written by Wangu Mwangi, Larissa Stiem-Bhatia, William Onura
Published on Dec 13, 2023
Working Paper
Food System Diversification as a Key to Implement the COP 28 Emirates Declaration
The Environmental Defense Fund and TMG Research submit that food system diversification is key to achieve the objectives laid out in the COP 28 Emirates Declaration.
Written by Environmental Defense Fund and TMG Research
Published on Dec 08, 2023
Report
FORESEE (4C) Report 4: The Agri-Food Systems Transformation Protocol - Mapping Agents and Drivers of Transformation
Exploring key actors and catalysts for agri-food systems transformation.
Written by Tavseef Mairaj Shah, Olivia Riemer, Nadia El-Hage Scialabba, Alexander Müller
Published on Dec 04, 2023
Report
The role of true cost accounting in guiding agrifood businesses and investments towards sustainability
Background paper for The State of Food and Agriculture 2023
Written by Olivia Riemer, Tavseef Mairaj Shah, Alexander Müller
Published on Nov 06, 2023
The Face of Hunger
The Face of Hunger was produced by TMG’s partner organization Food Agency Cape Town and featured during a panel discussion.
Strengthening Early Warning & Early Action on Transboundary Pests and Diseases
Strengthening Early Warning & Early Action on Transboundary Pests and Diseases
Transforming food systems from the bottom up: Social innovations for soil restoration
A conversation around land rights and agricultural transformation
In Harmony with Humanity and Nature: How a Project in Southern India Creates New Perspectives
An application of the True Cost Accounting methodology in India
Innovative digital tools to enhance food security in Africa (Highlights)
A contribution to debates on the EU Comprehensive Strategy with Africa
The Interconnectedness Between the Ongoing Desert Locust Crisis 2019-2021+ and the Climate Crisis
Session hosted by TMG, BMZ, IGAD and the Swette Center at Arizona State University.
Land-Food-Climate: Tackling the climate implementation gap
Second event of the series "Land-Food-Climate: An African-European Dialogue on Climate Resilience"
Land-Food-Climate: Climate Resilience through the Right to Food
First event of the series "Land-Food-Climate: An African-European Dialogue on Climate Resilience"
Land-Food-Climate: An African-European Dialogue on Climate Resilience
Teaser video for the "Land-Food-Climate: An African-European Dialogue on Climate Resilience" event series
True Cost - From Costs to Benefits in Food and Farming
A short video presenting the "True Cost - From Costs to Benefits" in Food and Farming initiative
- Programmes
- Outreach
- Organization
- Legal
Our main address is EUREF Campus 6-9, 10829 Berlin, Germany.
© 2024 TMG Think Tank for Sustainability. All Rights Reserved.