Prospects for the true cost accounting of food systems

Baker, Lauren; Castilleja, Guillermo; Ruiz, Adrian de Groot; Jones, Adele

doi:10.1038/s43016-020-00193-6

Cited by 24 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 1 publication

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Amongst the experts and TCA actors, diverse views exist on the question whether a common TCA standard, as well as establishing a common TCA label, is a feasible and advisable step forward for the short-term future. A standardized approach in TCA is regarded as important prior to general implementation to make results comparable and increase the involvement of both practitioners and consumers (Baker et al 2020;de Adelhart Toorop et al 2021). Standardization also avoids shortcomings in the economic application, as varying TCA approaches (and resulting calculated costs) will likely lead the market to adopt 'the least expensive', less holistic or progressive approach (SI).…”

Section: Methodological Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore, some scholars argue that in its worst manifestation, TCA is not an all around cure to transform current agricultural market structures but plays into prevailing neo-liberalism by merely 'green coloring' i.e monetarily valuing nature or social justice in a way that uphold the same structures that have caused and are causing environmental and social damage in the first place (Patel 2021; de Adelhart Toorop 2021). Nonetheless, other TCA practitioners and scholars argue that, in light of the factual devaluation taking place, the economisation of (ecological) damage is not only admissible but can provide-if pragmatically assessed and intelligently applied-valuable means for communication and comparability (TEEB 2018;Pieper et al 2020;Baker et al 2020;Bradshaw et al 2021). Michalke et al (2020) assess environmental externalities of eight different foods (apples, potatoes, tomatoes, bananas, mozzarella cheese, gouda cheese, milk, and mixed minced meat) based on data from the Federal Environmental Agency of Germany (UBA 2020).…”

Section: 'True Prices' Campaignmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

True cost accounting in agri-food networks: a German case study on informational campaigning and responsible implementation

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

There is broad scientific consensus that current food systems are neither sustainable nor resilient: many agricultural practices are very resource-intensive and responsible for a large share of global emissions and loss of biodiversity. Consequently, current systems put large pressure on planetary boundaries. According to economic theory, food prices form when there is a balance between supply and demand. Yet, due to the neglect of negative external effects, effective prices are often far from representing the ‘true costs’. Current studies show that especially animal-based foodstuff entails vast external costs that currently stay unaccounted for in market prices. Against this background, we explore how informational campaigning on agricultural externalities can contribute to consumer awareness and tolerance of this matter. Further, we investigate the socially just design of monetary incentives and their implementation potentials and challenges. This study builds on the informational campaign of a German supermarket displaying products with two price tags: one of the current market price and the other displaying the ‘true’ price, which includes several environmental externalities calculated with True Cost Accounting (TCA). Based on interpretations of a consumer survey and a number of expert interviews, in this article we approach the potentials and obstacles of TCA as a communication tool and the challenges of its factual implementation in agri-food networks. Our results show that consumers are generally interested in the topic of true food pricing and would to a certain extent be willing to pay ‘true prices’ of the inquired foods. However, insufficient transparency and unjust distribution of wealth are feared to bring about communication and social justice concerns in the implementation of TCA. When introducing TCA into current discourse, it is therefore important to develop measures that are socially cautious and backed by relevant legal framework conditions. This poses the chance to create a fair playing (‘polluter pays’) with a clear assignment of responsibilities to policy makers, and practitioners in addition to customers.

show abstract

Section: Methodological Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: 'True Prices' Campaignmentioning

confidence: 99%

True cost accounting in agri-food networks: a German case study on informational campaigning and responsible implementation

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Cost intelligent accounting is a process of comparing the actual cost generated by the process of production and operation with the cost plan based on the existing cost plan and combined with advanced technologies such as big data and artificial intelligence. Cost accounting has two aspects: mastering the actual situation and controlling the abnormal situation [17]. e price of engineering building materials refers to the comprehensive cost of a series of fully produced and half produced building materials required for each project, from dealers at all levels to project implementation sites or warehouses.…”

Section: Optimizing Intelligent Cost Accounting Modementioning

confidence: 99%

Intelligent Cost Accounting Optimization System of Building Engineering Materials Based on Ant Colony Algorithm

Sohail

2022

Security and Communication Networks

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

To save money on labour and keep track of the expenses of building engineering materials. This study provides an intelligent accounting and optimization system for building materials costs based on the ant colony algorithm. In the hardware, three relays are used to achieve open phase protection and convert the voltage signal into current signal; in the software, distinguish the material characteristics, identify the material types, use the virtual governance cost method, optimise the cost intelligent accounting mode, and design the software integration management function using integration technology and the ant colony algorithm; and in the hardware, use the virtual governance cost method. The average labour cost of the intelligent building material cost accounting and optimization system in this paper and the other three systems is 1924 (RMB 10,000), 2749 (RMB 10,000), and 2744 (RMB 10,000), respectively, demonstrating that the intelligent building material cost accounting and optimization system integrated with the ant colony algorithm has a better overall performance.

show abstract

“…Although the analyses described in this Analysis have identi ed the existence of potential systemic risk drivers on food security -similar to previous frameworks of the food system 6,13,54 -it is not sought to quantify the scale of in uence. It is reasonable to argue that any such analyses would require a context speci city.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite the urgency to address these topics, there are few published applications of this complex link. 5,6 The long-standing, complex humanitarian crisis in Somalia presents an example for compounding vulnerabilities driven by systemic risk and repercussions. 7,8 For nearly three decades, Somalia has been a prominent scene for sustained con ict cycles, repeated geopolitical shocks, and extreme weather events.Societies living in violence and con ict-affected areas are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Compound vulnerabilities exacerbate systemic risks of food security in Somalia

Thalheimer

Gaupp

Webersik

2021

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The impacts of climate change are increasingly compounding around the world. Simultaneous extreme weather events threaten coping mechanisms such as migration, and food security in breadbasket regions. Systemic risk approaches offer a critical lens to guide risk-informed sustainable action both now, and in the future. This Analysis proposes a generic conceptual framework to address the nature of such risks. We combine data on weather-related displacement, food insecurity, and conflict to characterize compound vulnerabilities underlying systemic risks. Using an Systemic Risk Impact Pathways (SRIP) model, we illustrate intersections between systemic risk elements and compound vulnerabilities in Somalia, a country affected by recurring extreme weather, protracted armed conflict, political instability and displacement. We show how these dynamics have create a complex nexus of strains on the population and its ability to guarantee food security. Advancing a risk-informed sustainable development agenda, we recommend taking a systemic risk approach instead of a single hazard approach.

show abstract

Prospects for the true cost accounting of food systems

Cited by 24 publications

References 1 publication

True cost accounting in agri-food networks: a German case study on informational campaigning and responsible implementation

True cost accounting in agri-food networks: a German case study on informational campaigning and responsible implementation

Intelligent Cost Accounting Optimization System of Building Engineering Materials Based on Ant Colony Algorithm

Compound vulnerabilities exacerbate systemic risks of food security in Somalia

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About