Sustainability Without Justice? Equity-Driven Strategies for Food Systems Transformation from Selected Case Studies

Published on February 27, 2026

The challenges our food systems face today are directly linked to deep-seated inequities in how food is produced, accessed, and governed. These inequities are not peripheral issues—rather, they are core drivers of systemic failure. Therefore, addressing them is crucial to redirecting systems toward a sustainable and just path.

To achieve this, the report leverages the Commercial Determinants of Health (CDoH) framework to gauge how business practices impact equity and sustainability outcomes. Additionally, a central contribution is advancing an equity framework comprising three dimensions—distributive, procedural, and recognitional—as guiding lenses for analysis and action. Applying this equity lens across production, consumption, and governance, our report demonstrates how equity-sensitive strategies can disrupt systemic lock-ins and identifies key leverage points to catalyse equitable transformation.

Furthermore, this report provides an overview of frameworks and international policy instruments that can support equity-sensitive strategies across food systems, linking them to wider goals on climate, biodiversity, and sustainable development.

This report provides insights into practical solutions for tackling the structural inequities in global food systems that are a key barrier to their urgently needed transformation. To support this objective, it offers a rigorous analysis of the structural drivers behind unequal outcomes in nutrition, health, and sustainability. Drawing on conceptual frameworks and real-world examples, it provides actionable recommendations to enable transformative, equity-driven change. Consequently, the report is structured to be accessible to policymakers, researchers, practitioners, and advocates alike.

Although global food production has increased significantly, current food systems remain misaligned with the principles of equity, public health, and environmental sustainability. Indeed, they continue to fuel environmental degradation, public health crises, and socio-economic disparities. These outcomes are not inevitable. By addressing deeply rooted structural imbalances, it is possible to build food systems that are fairer, more resilient, and better aligned with sustainable development goals.