Leveraging Bottom-up Food Markets to Build Resilience and Decarbonisation in Food Systems

This project looks at the lessons learnt from London

Project Summary

This project explores how bottom-up food markets can serve as innovation hubs for building a more resilient and low-carbon global food system. With food production contributing one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions and climate change threatening food security, urgent reform is needed. Focusing on London’s food markets, the project investigates how these spaces can test and scale sustainable practices—such as regenerative farming, alternative proteins, and local sourcing—while promoting food justice and equitable access. Through case studies, stakeholder engagement, and scenario modelling, the research will assess the effectiveness of market-based strategies in reducing emissions and adapting to climate risks. It will also examine the interplay between social innovation and biotechnology in shaping future food systems. Grounded in the principle that food is a human right, the project aims to generate actionable policy recommendations that support inclusive, climate-resilient food systems locally and globally.