Two experts from the Think Sustainable Europe network joined the new IEEP podcast to discuss key strategies for financing the transition of agri-food systems together: Olivia Riemer from TMG Research and Torsten Hasforth from the Danish think tank Concito. Olivia highlighted the hidden costs embedded in current food systems, such as environmental degradation and public health impacts, and emphasized how True Cost Accounting (TCA) can reveal these overlooked costs. By integrating TCA into decision-making, policymakers and businesses can drive more transparent and sustainable food system transformations. Torsten Hasforth (Concito) emphasized the urgent need for a global transformation of food production and consumption and discussed the significant impact of food systems on greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss. He highlighted the challenges of balancing demand, productivity, and sustainability. He also shared insights on Denmark’s Green Tripartite Agreement, which introduces CO2e taxes on livestock and a Green Land Fund to support sustainable land use.

Olivia Riemer concluded by stressing that TCA can guide subsidies and investments toward practices that deliver measurable benefits to society, ensuring that public money is used for public good - especially within the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy reform, to promote sustainability and justice in agricultural practices.

Listen to the podcast