Global and Local Agendas: The Milan Urban Food Policy Pact and Innovative Sustainable Food Policies in Euro-Latin American Cities

Abstract

This paper analyzes the relationship between the construction of international agendas and new sustainable local policies. Specifically, it analyzes the framework of sustainable food policy building at global and local scales. In this sense, we explore the international agreement called the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact, and its influence on the development of local and global sustainable food-related policies through different innovative methods. To this end, the process of building the international alliance of local governments for the development of sustainable food systems is analyzed first, and secondly, its locations are investigated through the public actions and programs in three cities of the Euro-Latin American region: Madrid, Quito, and Valencia. Two conclusions are clear after our qualitative study: on one hand, local policies are designed and implemented through a double strategy: the substantive construction of the policy and its inclusion in the global agenda. On the other hand, both dimensions are fundamental and reinforce each other, specifically in the case of urban sustainable food policy.

The state of food systems worldwide in the countdown to 2030

“…Food-system-specific indicators are the presence of a legal recognition of the right to food, the existence of a food system transformation pathway and the share of the urban population living in cities that have signed on to the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact (MUFPP). The MUFPP is an innovative policy mechanism that has rapidly become the leading international tool for urban food policy governance (37 recommended actions and specific indicators) as well as a platform for cooperation, organizing and political influence 31 .…”

Technological Innovations for Agricultural Production from an Environmental Perspective: A Review

“…It also suggests the redefinition of rural development policies towards equity and sustainability, promoting community self-sufficiency, resource conservation, and food security, supported by successful local experiences and the adoption of sustainable technological assessments [82]. Finally, it discusses the importance of combining wellfounded policies with their inclusion in international agendas for the success of sustainable urban food strategies [83].…”

Governance tools for urban food system policy innovations in the Milano Urban Food Policy Pact

“…Therefore, we only include cities in our analysis that are recognized with a minimum of one MUFPP award, as an indicator of being actively engaged and committed to both this network and its goals. Moreover, the development of food policies in these cities can be expected to fit a joint agenda and notion of food policy innovations (Martín and De la Fuente, 2022). An advantage of this case selection strategy is that because these cities are more engaged there is better data availability and self-reporting on governance related to food.…”