One Hundred Priority Questions for the Development of Sustainable Food Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Sub-Saharan Africa is facing an expected doubling of human population and tripling of food demand over the next quarter century, posing a range of severe environmental, political, and socio-economic challenges. In some cases, key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are in direct conflict, raising difficult policy and funding decisions, particularly in relation to trade-offs between food production, social inequality, and ecosystem health. In this study, we used a horizon-scanning approach to identify 100 practical or research-focused questions that, if answered, would have the greatest positive impact on addressing these trade-offs and ensuring future productivity and resilience of food-production systems across sub-Saharan Africa. Through direct canvassing of opinions, we obtained 1339 questions from 331 experts based in 55 countries. We then used online voting and participatory workshops to produce a final list of 100 questions divided into 12 thematic sections spanning topics from gender inequality to technological adoption and climate change. Using data on the background of respondents, we show that perspectives and priorities can vary, but they are largely consistent across different professional and geographical contexts. We hope these questions provide a template for establishing new research directions and prioritising funding decisions in sub-Saharan Africa.

Green Consumption, Environmental Regulation and Carbon Emissions—An Empirical Study Based on a PVAR Model

“…Green consumption was shown to be significantly and positively impacted by counteraction from ER. (3) This study used the amount of carbon sequestration by plants as another measure of carbon emissions because of the self-absorption effect of carbon emissions, and it was found that the capacity of vegetation to store carbon tends to increase and then decrease as green consumption increases; this effect will become stronger over time.…”

“…However, these two index systems differ from the actual situation in China; for example, the UNCSD only targets green commodities themselves and is less involved in the production and life of residents, so we need to build evaluation indicators that are in line with China's reality. Green consumption stems from sustainable development, which comprises three stages: the purchase, use, and disposal of products [3]. As a new consumption concept, it faces a series of new challenges and problems in practical exploration and theoretical research.…”