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Knowledge4Policy
Knowledge for policy
Supporting policy with scientific evidence

We mobilise people and resources to create, curate, make sense of and use knowledge to inform policymaking across Europe.

  • Publication | 2026
The True Cost of Transforming Food Systems with True Cost Accounting
Global Food and Nutrition Security

Creating sustainable food systems is key to tackling environmental degradation, social inequalities and health crises. The current global food system incurs significant hidden costs, caused by impacts including high levels of greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity loss and diet-related diseases. True Cost Accounting (TCA) is a systems approach that uncovers hidden costs in food systems and thereby assesses sustainability and equity in food production and consumption. By offering a comprehensive understanding of the economic, environmental, health and social impacts involved, TCA can be used to guide political reforms and enhance policy outcomes. The method also supports data-driven decision-making, helping to identify priority intervention areas and pathways for transformational change.