Targeting sustainable mass consumption through innovative governance arrangements
(2018) 9th International Sustainability Transitions conference — Location: Manchester, UK (12.June.2018)
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- Abstract
- Recently in Belgium, several initiatives aiming to introduce local, low-input, small farmers’ products into supermarkets have emerged. They are promoted by local authorities aiming to support local farmers and/or by civil society organisations (CSOs) with varying motivations, and now involve most supermarkets in Belgium. In a context characterized by mass consumption, they contribute to make sustainable products accessible for most people. However, one may wonder if they act as disruptive innovations and may contribute to a broader systemic change, or if they alleviate the tensions inside the regime and consequently foster the reproduction of the dominant system. In this paper we analyse if the development of local sourcing in supermarkets is an opportunity for a transition towards more sustainable food systems i.e., for sustainable farming and food practices, and for fair marketing practices to be broadly adopted. We combine the multi-level perspective with concepts from the actor-network theory and organisational studies, to examine three initiatives and their impact on the broader food system. We consider all the actors involved: producers, processors, retail corporations, alternative retailers, public authorities, CSOs, consumers. For each actor, we analyse from a diachronic perspective: visions and professed values; practices; coordination and governance features. This research is based on 36 interviews, 6 observations and data from a diversity of documents. Our results show that the initiatives rely on various governance arrangements, producing different impacts on the food system. The analysis of learning processes allows us to characterize these impacts as marginal or systemic. We identify the specific features which allow profound transformation in the set of rules underlying the dominant food system and discuss the implications for public policies.
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Bui, S., & Da Costa, I. (2018). Targeting sustainable mass consumption through innovative governance arrangements. 9th International Sustainability Transitions conference, Manchester, UK. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/125744