Sustainability does not quite get the attention it deserves’

Synergies and tensions in the sustainability frames of Australian food policy actors

Bibliographic Data

ID15092907
AuthorsHelen Trevena (0000-0003-0389-812X, The George Institute for Global Health, corresponding author), Jenny Claire Kaldor, Jenny Kaldor (0000-0002-1299-6023, The University of Sydney), Shauna Downs (0000-0003-2161-3343, Menzies School of Health Research), Shauna M Downs
Year2015
Volume18
Issue13
Pages2323-2332
Publication date2015-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePublic Health Nutrition (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1368-9800 • E-ISSN: 1475-2727
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s136898001400295x
PMID25543824
OpenAlexW2160243877
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited17

Objective The development of food policy is strongly influenced by the understanding and position actors adopt in their ‘framing’ of sustainability. The Australian Government developed a National Food Plan (2010–2013). In public consultations on the National Food Plan Green Paper, the government sought stakeholders’ views on sustainability. The present study examined the way in which the food industry and civil society organizations framed sustainability in their submissions to the Green Paper. Design Submissions by food industry actors and civil society organizations were analysed using a framing matrix that examined positioning, drivers, underlying principles and policy solutions related to sustainability. Submissions were open coded and subsequently organized based on themes within the framing matrix. Setting Australia. Subjects One hundred and twenty-four written submissions (1420 pages). Results While submissions from industry and civil society organizations often framed sustainability similarly, there were also major differences. Civil society organizations were more likely to make the link between the food supply and population health, while industry was more likely to focus on economic sustainability. Both viewed consumer demand as a driver of sustainability, welcomed the idea of a whole-of-government approach and stressed the need for investment in research and development to improve productivity and sustainable farming practices. Conclusions The meaning of sustainability shifted throughout the policy process. There are opportunities for creating shared value in food policy, where the health, environment and economic dimensions of sustainability can be compatible. However, despite pockets of optimism there is a need for a shared vision of sustainability if Australia is to have a food policy integrating these dimensions

Agriculture · Business · Civil society · Food security · Food systems · Framing (construction · Government (linguistics · Political science · Population · Public relations · Social sustainability · Sociology · Sustainability · Sustainability organizations · Sustainability science · Agriculture Sustainability and Environmental Impact · Engineering · Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations · Organic Food and Agriculture · Public Administration · Marketing

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