THRIVING Food Futures hub set to shape UK’s net zero food policies

The THRIVING Food Futures research hub aims to reshape UK food policies, promoting sustainable, healthy diets to tackle climate and health challenges.

The UK’s food system is on the brink of a radical overhaul, with the public set to play a central role in shaping the policies that will guide its transformation.

The THRIVING Food Futures project, led by the University of Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences – in collaboration with a consortium of researchers from Oxford, Cambridge, Strathclyde, Warwick, Queen Mary University London and City St George’s University London – is poised to spearhead efforts to design food policies that promote both health and sustainability.

Backed by funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), this ambitious new £6 million initiative aims to accelerate the country’s path to net zero while addressing pressing public health challenges.

The UK food system’s role in meeting climate targets

The food sector is responsible for a staggering one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions. With the UK committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, dietary changes are essential for meeting climate targets. Yet, these changes must also support public health, particularly as the country grapples with rising rates of diabetes, heart disease, cancer and health inequalities. Encouragingly, diets that are sustainable for the planet – such as those rich in fruit, vegetables and low in processed meats – also offer significant health benefits.

However, there have been hurdles in moving forward with policy changes. Public support for new food policies has been unclear, and there is a lack of real-world evidence on the effectiveness of proposed solutions.

Designing evidence-based, publicly supported food policies

The THRIVING Food Futures hub will tackle these challenges by collaborating with a broad range of stakeholders, from policymakers to industry experts and civil society groups, to design policies that foster healthier, more sustainable diets for all. A key feature of the project is its commitment to public engagement, with a focus on ensuring that the policies developed align with the needs and values of the UK population.

Here’s how the project will drive real change:

• Policy options: The team will conduct a comprehensive review of international food policies, alongside input from policymakers and industry experts, to develop a broad range of options that could support healthier, more sustainable diets. 
• Public support: In five locations across the UK, citizen juries will help the researchers gauge which of the proposed policies are most acceptable to the public, ensuring that any changes reflect the values and preferences of the wider population. 
• Food profiling model: A Nutrient and Environment Profiling Model will be developed to categorise foods based on their nutritional content and environmental impact. This model will guide policy decisions by identifying which foods are both unhealthy and unsustainable. 
• Digital policy trials: The team will create novel digital tools, such as smartphone apps, to simulate real-world shopping environments. These tools will allow for large-scale testing of the proposed policies without relying on industry partnerships. The trials will measure how these policies impact food choices and sustainability. 

Creating a healthier, more sustainable food system

Commenting on the importance of the initiative, Peter Scarborough, Professor of Population Health at the University of Oxford and lead of the THRIVING Food Futures project said: “The THRIVING Food Futures research hub is a great opportunity to reshape the UK’s food system in a way that benefits both our health and the environment. By working closely with policymakers and the public, we will create evidence-based solutions that are not only effective but also widely accepted and viable. If implemented, these policies can contribute to a healthier population and a healthier planet.” 

This new five year research initiative is part of a wider £42 million project, funded by UKRI and NIHR, comprising seven transdisciplinary hubs, aimed at driving transformative change in tackling climate change, public health and sustainability.

Professor Louise Heathwaite, Executive Chair of the Natural Environment Research Council and UKRI Building a Green Future Lead, echoed this sentiment: “The UK’s net zero transition presents a huge opportunity to challenge, review and improve many aspects of societal resilience to create a sustainable environment and healthier, happier population. It is vital that we seize this chance for positive change.”

She added, “We are excited by the potential of the hubs and look forward to seeing their findings inform successful, ambitious net zero policies with public health at their heart.”