Dietary Change and Climate Change: What Role for Law Making?

Williams, Rebecca

Abstract

Studies on agriculture and climate change are few and far between in legal studies, despite the fact current market distortions in the food system are underpinned by historical agricultural and trade law policies. This paper seeks to connect findings from social and natural science papers to law and policy making and its role in reshaping current landscapes of overproduction and consumption of livestock commodities, particularly in relation to dietary change. The paper tackles key questions to help provide an overview of the legal incentivisation of the livestock sector to those working in disciplines beyond law. A number of important and fundamental questions will be addressed, including: How has the law historically contributed to the high levels of consumption of livestock products and their environmental impact? What avenues and options exist in law and policy making to help make the recommended shifts in the food system towards plant-based diets? What are the limitations of law making in encouraging dietary change for environmental or public health reasons? The paper draws from key legal examples across the topic area from trade law, environmental law, agricultural law, public health law and beyond. Moreover, it outlines innovative legal strategies in key regions (such as the EU or South America) to help facilitate the system-wide changes needed to improve the sustainability of the livestock sector.

Citation

Williams, R. (2023, January). Dietary Change and Climate Change: What Role for Law Making?. Paper presented at LEAP Conference 2023, Oxford

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (unpublished)
• Conference Name: LEAP Conference 2023
• Conference Location: Oxford
• Start Date: Jan 25, 2023
• Deposit Date: Jan 27, 2023