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Consumer responses to a future UK food system

Laura O'Keefe (Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK)
Carly McLachlan (Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK)
Clair Gough (Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK)
Sarah Mander (Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK)
Alice Bows-Larkin (Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK)

British Food Journal

ISSN: 0007-070X

Article publication date: 1 February 2016

3007

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe research exploring consumer responses to potential changes in food-related practices to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

Design/methodology/approach

Six focus groups explored consumer responses to measures to intended to mitigate the emissions from, and adapt to the impacts of climate change. These included: meat reduction, greater reliance on seasonal British food, meal replacement tablets, laboratory grown meat, communal eating houses, genetically modified food and food waste. Practice theory provided the lens to interpret the changes to meanings, competences and materials associated with food consumption.

Findings

Changes that could be assimilated within existing competencies were viewed more positively, with lack of competence a key barrier to accommodating change. At present, climate change and sustainability do not influence purchasing decisions. Policy measures delivering multiple benefits (“win-wins”), of which environmental performance may be one, stand an improved chance of establishing more sustainable practices than those focusing exclusively on environmental drivers.

Originality/value

Awareness of the role of sustainable food systems in the context of anthropogenic climate change is growing. Whilst scientific and technological research explores methods for reducing emissions and building resilience in food supply chains to changes in climate, there is comparatively little study of how consumers perceive these proposed “solutions”. This research provides a comprehensive overview of consumer responses to potential changes in eating practices related to climate change mitigation and adaptation and is of value to policy makers, academics and practitioners across the food supply chain.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This research was funded by the Sustainable Consumption Institute, University of Manchester. The authors would like to thank the wider Flagship team (Ellie Dawkins, Mirjam Röder, Patricia Thornley and Ruth Wood) and the lay members of the focus groups for their participation in this study.

Citation

O'Keefe, L., McLachlan, C., Gough, C., Mander, S. and Bows-Larkin, A. (2016), "Consumer responses to a future UK food system", British Food Journal, Vol. 118 No. 2, pp. 412-428. https://doi.org/10.1108/BFJ-01-2015-0047

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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