TMG Think Tank for Sustainability

Alexander Müller

Founder & Managing Director

Alexander is a former FAO Assistant Director-General (2006-2013), and State Secretary for Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture, Germany (2001 -2005). He has vast experience in global sustainability governance, as inter alia: Chair of the UN Standing Committee on Nutrition; member of the UN Environmental Management Group; and Lead, Voluntary Guidelines for Responsible Governance of Land, and TEEBAgriFood.

Alexander Müller
FORESEE (4C) Report 5: Changing the Equation: Leveraging True Cost Accounting to Accelerate Agri-food Systems Transformation
Publication Oct 31, 2024

FORESEE (4C) Report 5: Changing the Equation: Leveraging True Cost Accounting to Accelerate Agri-food Systems Transformation

This report promotes True Cost Accounting to reveal hidden environmental, social, and health costs in agri-food systems.
Why the Clean Industrial Deal must address social and environmental concerns
Media Coverage Sep 16, 2024

Why the Clean Industrial Deal must address social and environmental concerns

As the new European Commission takes shape, the Executive Directors of the Think Sustainable Europe network urge to maintain social and environmental concerns as priorities in future EU legislation.
The Role of Climate Change for Transboundary Crop Pest Outbreaks in IGAD Member States – Challenges for Integrated EWS and Governance. A Review
Publication Sep 13, 2024

The Role of Climate Change for Transboundary Crop Pest Outbreaks in IGAD Member States – Challenges for Integrated EWS and Governance. A Review

Our work underscores the urgent need for transboundary pests to be included in multi-hazard Early Warning Systems frameworks.
Klaus Töpfer: A tribute
News Jun 11, 2024

Klaus Töpfer: A tribute

Co-founder of T(öpfer)MG - Think Tank for Sustainability, Klaus Töpfer, a thought leader and political practitioner of sustainability, passed away on 8th June, surrounded by his family.
Hidden Costs of Food: Sustainable Change Needs Sustainable Economic Systems
Media Coverage Dec 12, 2023

Hidden Costs of Food: Sustainable Change Needs Sustainable Economic Systems

An FAO report gives an idea of the side effects of food production in social, environmental, and health terms. But how can change be achieved?
Navigating digitalization in disaster risk reduction
Blog Post Jun 30, 2023

Navigating digitalization in disaster risk reduction

Digital technologies initially lauded for emergency response in post-2010 Haiti earthquake, but mismanagement of resources and barriers to local input exposed disconnect with local communities.
World Bee Day 2023: Time for sustainable solutions to tackle locust upsurges
Blog Post May 25, 2023

World Bee Day 2023: Time for sustainable solutions to tackle locust upsurges

An urgent call to safeguard pollinators during pest eradication campaigns.
Adam Prakash: A tribute
Publication May 23, 2023

Adam Prakash: A tribute

Remembering a valued colleague
Right to food (in German)
News Apr 24, 2023

Right to food (in German)

A world without hunger by 2030?
We have better solutions than chemical warfare to tackle climate-related invasive pests and diseases
Publication Mar 03, 2023

We have better solutions than chemical warfare to tackle climate-related invasive pests and diseases

TMG study exposes the devastating environmental impact of organophosphate pesticides in recent campaigns against desert locust invasions by Ethiopia and Kenya and calls for smarter and more sustainable early warning and action systems
Linking biodiversity conservation to human rights: A much-needed conversation at CBD 15
Blog Post Dec 13, 2022

Linking biodiversity conservation to human rights: A much-needed conversation at CBD 15

We need to find new ways to agree on, and implement, robust goals for biodiversity protection
Climate Change Brings New Pest & Disease Pressures Previously Unimaginable
Media Coverage Oct 25, 2022

Climate Change Brings New Pest & Disease Pressures Previously Unimaginable

Harnessing technological advances to strengthen transboundary governance of early warning-early action systems
Our food system needs crisis proofing. Start with windfall tax
Media Coverage Sep 06, 2022

Our food system needs crisis proofing. Start with windfall tax

A call for a more adequate global response to the current crises
The Right Way to Fight Global Hunger
News Jun 13, 2022

The Right Way to Fight Global Hunger

Immediate responses to the current hunger crisis must also support the long-term transformation of food systems.
Making the hidden costs of our food systems visible
News Apr 01, 2022

Making the hidden costs of our food systems visible

An article promoting the consideration of True Cost Accounting as a path to transform food systems
Finding the ‘True Value’ of Food Can Drive Innovation Across Sectors
News Feb 03, 2022

Finding the ‘True Value’ of Food Can Drive Innovation Across Sectors

How to drive change in sectors as disparate as climate, public health, and poverty reduction.
Counting the Hidden Costs of Food Adds Up to Real Progress
News Nov 10, 2021

Counting the Hidden Costs of Food Adds Up to Real Progress

TMG director co-publishes opinion piece in Newsweek
Transformation: does the term still have value?
Blog Post Nov 03, 2021

Transformation: does the term still have value?

TMG think piece series
True Value: Revealing the Positive Impacts of Food Systems Transformation
Publication Oct 14, 2021

True Value: Revealing the Positive Impacts of Food Systems Transformation

A new report by TMG staff identifies six case studies around the world which highlight the positive impacts of True Cost Accounting on food systems
Marine Regions Forum: An international stakeholder forum to strengthen regional ocean governance
Publication Jul 08, 2021

Marine Regions Forum: An international stakeholder forum to strengthen regional ocean governance

Exploring the Marine Regions Forum's potential to facilitate progress in ocean governance and sustainability
Covid, the Environment and Food Systems: Contain, Cope and Rebuild Better
Publication Jul 06, 2021

Covid, the Environment and Food Systems: Contain, Cope and Rebuild Better

Analysing impacts of COVID-19 on the nexus of food systems, the environment and sustainable development
Transforming our broken food systems
Publication Jun 23, 2021

Transforming our broken food systems

TMG Managing Director Alexander Müller contributes to a new volume on True Cost Accounting in the food sector.
People and Planet
Blog Post Jun 04, 2021

People and Planet

Empowering African communities in ecosystem restoration
Advancing Ocean Governance in Marine Regions Through Stakeholder Dialogue Processes
Publication May 04, 2021

Advancing Ocean Governance in Marine Regions Through Stakeholder Dialogue Processes

TMG staff co-author an article on how collaborative efforts can help to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals for the world's oceans
Cheap food is expensive
Blog Post Mar 31, 2021

Cheap food is expensive

Why the World Food Systems Summit must usher in a fundamental change to our food system
Building Our Food Systems Back Better
Blog Post Jun 30, 2020

Building Our Food Systems Back Better

What is required to make food systems provide sufficient, healthy food while not harming the planet? How should food security be maintained given the threat posed by climate change?
Video Diaries in the Days of Corona: Voices from the Ground
Blog Post May 25, 2020

Video Diaries in the Days of Corona: Voices from the Ground

Young farmers’ insights on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on food systems in Sub-Saharan Africa @CovidFoodFuture and video diaries from Nairobi’s informal settlements
FORESEE (4C) Report 5: Changing the Equation: Leveraging True Cost Accounting to Accelerate Agri-food Systems Transformation

Report

FORESEE (4C) Report 5: Changing the Equation: Leveraging True Cost Accounting to Accelerate Agri-food Systems Transformation

This report promotes True Cost Accounting to reveal hidden environmental, social, and health costs in agri-food systems.

Written by Lisa Klaus, Olivia Riemer, Alexander Müller

Published on Oct 31, 2024

The Role of Climate Change for Transboundary Crop Pest Outbreaks in IGAD Member States – Challenges for Integrated EWS and Governance. A Review

Report

The Role of Climate Change for Transboundary Crop Pest Outbreaks in IGAD Member States – Challenges for Integrated EWS and Governance. A Review

Our work underscores the urgent need for transboundary pests to be included in multi-hazard Early Warning Systems frameworks.

Written by Elena Lazutkaite, Ahmed Amdihun, Emily Kimathi, GeoKrey Sabiiti, Henri Tonnang, Hussen Seid Endris, Igor Klein, Victor K. Igbokwe, Alexander Müller

Published on Sep 13, 2024

FORESEE (4C) Report 4: The Agri-Food Systems Transformation Protocol - Mapping Agents and Drivers of Transformation

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

Open letter to Heads of the three Rio Conventions

Declaration

Open letter to Heads of the three Rio Conventions

A call to systemically address agri-food sector externalities in global environmental governance

Written by Alexander Müller

Published on May 22, 2023

Insecticide Use against Desert Locust in the Horn of Africa 2019–2021 Reveals a Pressing Need for Change

Article

Insecticide Use against Desert Locust in the Horn of Africa 2019–2021 Reveals a Pressing Need for Change

New research exposes the devastating environmental impact of organophosphate pesticides in recent campaigns against desert locust invasions by Ethiopia and Kenya and calls for smarter and more sustainable early warning and action systems

Written by Wim Mullié, Adam Prakash, Alexander Müller, Elena Lazutkaite

Published on Mar 03, 2023

Scientific Linkages Between Climate Change and (Transboundary) Crop Pest and Disease Outbreaks

Working Paper

Scientific Linkages Between Climate Change and (Transboundary) Crop Pest and Disease Outbreaks

Paving the way forward for improved crisis governance

Written by Alexander Müller, Adam Prakash, Elena Lazutkaite, Mark Davis, Ahmed Amdihun and Jully Ouma

Published on Aug 10, 2022

An unfolding global hunger crisis?

Working Paper

An unfolding global hunger crisis?

The developed world must share their grain reserves with countries in need instead of producing biofuels and meat!

Written by Alexander Müller, Adam Prakash and Elena Lazutkaite

Published on Jul 07, 2022

Sustainable Blue Recovery: Fostering Resilience for Marine Regions

Policy Brief

Sustainable Blue Recovery: Fostering Resilience for Marine Regions

Connecting People to Protect One Ocean

Written by Luise von Pogrell, Torsten Thiele, Sebastian Unger, Barbara Neumann, Laura Weiand, Piera Tortora, Julien Rochette, Klaudija Cremers, Glen Wright and Alexander Müller

Published on Jul 04, 2022

A Scoping Paper on the Ongoing Desert Locust Crisis 2019-2021+

Working Paper

A Scoping Paper on the Ongoing Desert Locust Crisis 2019-2021+

A call to instill and coordinate innovative early warning and outbreak prevention systems both at the global and regional level to increase resilience in times of the climate crisis

Written by Alexander Müller, Swantje Nilsson, Adam Prakash and Elena Lazutkaite

Published on Feb 15, 2022

True Cost Accounting and Dietary Patterns: A Strategy for Transformative Food Systems

Working Paper

True Cost Accounting and Dietary Patterns: A Strategy for Transformative Food Systems

An analysis of the true costs of sustainable and healthy food and how True Cost Accounting, TCA can be argued for – and what political asks can be phrased from it – starting from the vantage point of sustainable diets.

Written by Michael Hamm, Olivia Riemer, Alexander Müller, Kathleen Merrigan

Published on Feb 02, 2022

Research for Change: Towards a transformative research strategy for climate-resilient agriculture in Germany

Report

Research for Change: Towards a transformative research strategy for climate-resilient agriculture in Germany

A paper proposing elements of a national research strategy for a transformation of the German agricultural sector towards climate resilience

Written by Christine Chemnitz, Jes Weigelt, Corinna Enders, Anna Häring, Folkhard Isermeyer, Martin Kunisch, Alexander Müller, Susanne Neubert, Henrike Rieken, Rolf Sommer, Friedhelm Taube, Jens Tuider, Hubert Wiggering

Published on Oct 29, 2021

True Value: Revealing the Positive Impacts of Food Systems Transformation

Report

True Value: Revealing the Positive Impacts of Food Systems Transformation

Commissioned by the Global Alliance for the Future of Food, this report identifies the positive impacts of True Cost Accounting on different aspects of global food systems

Written by TMG, Global Alliance for the Future of Food

Published on Oct 14, 2021

Strengthening Accountability for Responsible Land Governance: Linking Governance of Tenure to Human Rights

Article

Strengthening Accountability for Responsible Land Governance: Linking Governance of Tenure to Human Rights

Making a case for adopting human rights-based monitoring approaches to strengthen the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure

Written by Anna Katharina Kramer, Frederike Klümper, Alexander Müller, Francesca Thornberry

Published on Oct 08, 2021

Marine Regions Forum: An international stakeholder forum to strengthen  regional ocean governance

Report

Marine Regions Forum: An international stakeholder forum to strengthen regional ocean governance

A discussion of the potential of the Marine Regions Forum to facilitate progress in ocean governance and sustainability transformations

Written by Dr. Barbara Neumann, Sebastian Unger, Laura Weiand, Dr. Julien Rochette, Glen Wright, Alexander Müller

Published on Jul 08, 2021

Covid, the Environment and Food Systems: Contain, Cope and Rebuild Better

Article

Covid, the Environment and Food Systems: Contain, Cope and Rebuild Better

Analysing impacts of COVID-19 on the nexus of food systems, the environment and sustainable development

Written by Anil Markandya, Jacob Salcone, Salman Hussain, Alexander Mueller and Simi Thambi

Published on Jul 06, 2021

Mobilizing the Power and Potential of True Cost Accounting

Article

Mobilizing the Power and Potential of True Cost Accounting

Concluding chapter: 'True Cost Accounting for Food - Balancing the Scale'

Written by Nadia El-Hage Scialabba, Carl Obst, Kathleen A. Merrigan, Alexander Müller

Published on Jun 23, 2021

International Policy Opportunities for True Cost Accounting in Food and Agriculture

Article

International Policy Opportunities for True Cost Accounting in Food and Agriculture

Book Chapter

Written by Barbara Gemmill-Herren, Zoltán Kálmán and Alexander Müller

Published on Jun 23, 2021

Advancing Ocean Governance in Marine Regions Through Stakeholder Dialogue Processes

Article

Advancing Ocean Governance in Marine Regions Through Stakeholder Dialogue Processes

The poor state of the ocean and the transboundary nature of the marine environment require bold action by States coordinated across sectors and territorial boundaries in order to deal with the manifold challenges the ocean is facing—and with it humankind.

Written by Laura Weiand, Sebastian Unger, Julien Rochette, Alexander Müller and Barbara Neumann

Published on May 04, 2021

Covid-19, the Environment, and Food Systems: Contain, Cope and Rebuild Better

Report

Covid-19, the Environment, and Food Systems: Contain, Cope and Rebuild Better

Covid-19 Green Recovery Working Paper Series

Written by Alexander Müller, Professor Anil Markandya, Jacob Salcone & Dr. Simi Thambi

Published on Dec 04, 2020

Social Capital in the Food Sector: A Brief for True Cost Accounting Considerations

Info Brief

Social Capital in the Food Sector: A Brief for True Cost Accounting Considerations

The Brief provides an overview of the concept of social capital, how it is linked to food- and farming-related businesses, and why it determines business failure and success.

Written by Olivia Riemer, Alexander Müller, Sebastian Hanss-Mirodone

Published on Aug 18, 2020

True Cost Accounting: Inventory Report

Report

True Cost Accounting: Inventory Report

This research is commissioned by the Global Alliance for the Future of Food and is conducted by Soil & More Impacts and TMG Thinktank for Sustainability.

Written by Tobias Bandel, Maximiliano Cortes Sotomayor, Benjamin Kayatz, Alexander Müller, Olivia Riemer, Gyde Wollesen

Published on Jul 20, 2020

Organic Food's Value to Human Health

Info Brief

Organic Food's Value to Human Health

This brief presents the current state of knowledge on the health impacts of organic versus conventionally produced food.

Written by Michael Hamm, Olivia Riemer, Alexander Müller

Published on Jul 15, 2020

From The Bottom Up: Creating an enabling environment for sustainable land management

Technical Guide

From The Bottom Up: Creating an enabling environment for sustainable land management

This guide presents investment strategies designed to create an enabling environment for sustainable land management (SLM) and ecosystem restoration.

Written by Anna Kramer, Jes Weigelt, Alexander Müller, Samie Blasingame

Published on May 11, 2020

Human Health and the Food System: A Brief for True Cost Accounting Considerations

Info Brief

Human Health and the Food System: A Brief for True Cost Accounting Considerations

This brief highlights the issues and opportunities regarding human health and the food system.

Written by Michael Hamm, Olivia Riemer, Alexander Müller

Published on Oct 10, 2019

Towards a Contemporary Vision for the Global Seafloor

Report

Towards a Contemporary Vision for the Global Seafloor

Half of the global ocean floor is legally set aside from State or private ownership as a common heritage whose control and management are vested in mankind as a whole.

Written by Sabine Christiansen, Duncan Currie, Kate Houghton, Alexander Müller, Manuel Rivera, Oscar Schmidt, Prue Taylor, Sebastian Unger

Published on May 13, 2019

Beware the politics: Leveraging foreign policy for SDG implementation

Working Paper

Beware the politics: Leveraging foreign policy for SDG implementation

The adoption of the 2030 Agenda in 2015 marked a high point for international multilateral cooperation. With its 17 goals and 169 targets, the implementation process for the SDGs may appear an essentially technocratic exercise.

Written by Daria Ivleva, Alexander Müller, Benjamin Pohl

Published on Apr 30, 2019

 Measuring what matters in agriculture and food systems

Report

Measuring what matters in agriculture and food systems

Synthesis of the results and recommendations of TEEB for Agriculture and Food’s Scientific and Economic Foundations Report.

Written by Alexander Müller, Patrick Holden, Peter May, Kathleen Merrigan, Danielle Nierenberg, Walter Pengue, Jules Pretty, Maryam Rahmanian, Ruth Richardson, Pavan Sukhde, Abdou Tenkouano

Published on Aug 16, 2018

 TEEB for Agriculture & Food: Scientific and Economic Foundations

Report

TEEB for Agriculture & Food: Scientific and Economic Foundations

This ‘Scientifc and Economic Foundations’ report addresses the core theoretical issues and controversies underpinning the evaluation of the nexus between the agri-food sector, biodiversity and ecosystem services and externalities.

Written by Alexander Müller, Patrick Holden, Peter May, Kathleen Merrigan, Danielle Nierenberg, Walter Pengue, Jules Pretty, Maryam Rahmanian, Ruth Richardson, Pavan Sukhde, Abdou Tenkouano

Published on Feb 19, 2018

Wege zu einem Gesellschaftsvertrag für eine zukunftsfähige LandWirtschaft

Working Paper

Wege zu einem Gesellschaftsvertrag für eine zukunftsfähige LandWirtschaft

Es ist unbestritten: Die Landwirtschaft steht vor gewaltigen Herausforderungen - weltweit und auch in Deutschland. Die wachsende globale Bevölkerung erhöht die Nachfrage nach Lebensmitteln, Konsumgewohnheiten ändern sich.

Written by Jes Weigelt, Melf-Hinrich Ehlers, Alexander Müller

Published on Jan 16, 2018

One Investment, many Benefits: Soil Rehabilitation for Poverty Reduction, Food Security, Climate Change Adaptation, and Biodiversity Protection

Report

One Investment, many Benefits: Soil Rehabilitation for Poverty Reduction, Food Security, Climate Change Adaptation, and Biodiversity Protection

Soil rehabilitation offers great potential to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the goals of the Paris Agreement while contributing to “leaving no one behind”:

Written by Carolin Sperk, Jes Weigelt, Alexander Müller, Jonathan Davis, Ravi Prabhu

Published on May 15, 2017

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TMG Think Tank for Sustainability consists of TMG Research gGmbH, an independent, non-partisan, non-for-profit organization registered in Berlin (District Court Charlottenburg, HRB 186018 B, USt.-ID: DE311653675) and TMG - Töpfer, Müller, Gaßner GmbH, a private company registered in Berlin (District Court Charlottenburg, HRB 177576 B USt.-ID: DE306832549).

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