Cross-scale consumption-based simulation models can promote sustainable metropolitan food systems

Abstract

Due to the length and complexity of supply chains, changes in food consumption patterns in one metropolitan region can transform production patterns in other sectors and countries. Therefore, they cause complex synergies and trade-offs between environmental and socioeconomic goals at the local and global level. We argue that the dissemination of cross-scale consumption-based simulation models is crucial to investigate these complex multilevel effects and promote sustainable food systems.