Our food systems have performed well in the past, but they are failing us in the face of climate change and other challenges. This book tells the story of why food system transformation is needed, how it can be achieved and how research can be a catalyst for change. Written by a global interdisciplinary team of researchers, it brings together perspectives from multiple areas including climate, environment, agriculture, and the social sciences to describe how different tools and approaches can be used to tackle food system transformation. It provides practical, actionable insights for policymakers and advisors, demonstrating how science together with strong partnerships can enable real transformation on the ground. It also contributes to the academic debate on the transformation of food systems, and so will be an invaluable reference for researchers and students alike. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.

Winner, 2024 Choice Awards

‘This fascinating - and rich - book deals with the entire food system and how it must be changed in the context of climate change and other urgent challenges in a complex socio-economic world. It is based on a solid foundation of transdisciplinary research and thus a model for how planetary changes should be addressed in the Anthropocene. A necessary book for scientists and multiple stakeholders concerned with ensuring a healthy diet for the global population.’

Thomas Rosswall - former President of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

‘The world is running short of land and water, climates are changing, and these threats challenge our ability to transform food systems to feed the world’s burgeoning populations. Transformation will not come through planned processes or silver-bullet technical innovations. The transformation that is required will need fundamental changes in the behavior of those who research, produce, transport, market and consume food. Campbell and his co-authors have brought together in a single volume the learning of a vast global program of innovation experiments each set in its local context and executed with key actors in the food system. The research described in this volume is excellent, but its value is enhanced from the way the research was deeply embedded in local context and the learning occurred through partnerships amongst the full diversity of people engaged in transforming food systems. Campbell et al. provide a unique source of evidence and the concepts needed to achieve the transformation that is vitally needed.’

Jeffrey Sayer - University British Columbia

‘Innovation is an essential lever to transform food systems which are under the threat and reality of climate change. This inspirational book offers examples and guidance on how to accelerate innovation across four key action areas, designed to deliver a vision and approach to transformation that is urgent, ambitious and inclusive.’

Lisa Sweet - Head of Climate and Nature, Food Systems Initiative at the World Economic Forum

‘… an invaluable resource for policy makers, academics, and practitioners seeking solutions for sustainable agriculture and food security. … Highly recommended.’

F. Huq Source: Choice