CIFOS-model as a policy support tool for circular food system transformation

The CiFoS Model is global bio-physical model that can be adapted to different agro-ecological and socio-economic circumstances and, therefore, serve as a policy support tool for circular food system transformation.

Combining strategies and knowledge

The CiFoS model can be used to identify strategies that can reshape our current food system towards a circular food system. Although nobody knows exactly how to achieve this transition, we most likely need a mix of socio-economic and institutional measures, such as true pricing, subsidising sustainable initiatives, increasing taxes on use of finite resources while lowering taxes on labour, labelling, legislation enabling safe recycling of food waste as animal feed, and clear emission ceilings. Technological strategies such as biological treatment of rice or wheat straw with fungi or microbial proteins, can also help reshape our food system.

Exploring trade-offs and synergies

Strategies are site-specific due to differences in availability of natural resources, biomass-use policies, or cultural habits. Differences in agro-ecological and socio-economic circumstances, for example, make some areas more suitable for producing specific types of crops than others. Localized environmental or socio-economic advantages of certain imported crops may outweigh the emission impact of transport. The CiFoS model is a global biomass model that can be adapted to a country or continental level to explore specific agro-ecological conditions around the globe. Therefore the model can be used to assess the impact of different strategies so as to function as a policy support tool.