Every Canadian meal has an environmental footprint. Today, there is a growing concern about this environmental footprint and what must be done to improve the sustainability of the food system. Improving this sustainability becomes all the more important considering the pressures it will face to expand production. With global population estimated to climb to over 9 billion by 2050, Canada will be among a handful of food-exporting countries called upon to satisfy rising food demand.

This report examines the major areas of environmental risk relating to Canada’s food system. It describes key steps to improve agri-environmental risk governance in Canada and the ability of the food system to respond to challenges and opportunities in the years ahead. In so doing, the report provides a basis of evidence and analysis to help inform the dialogue around food system sustainability in Canada.

Executive Summary

Chapter 1—Introduction

• Purpose of the Report
• Framing the Analysis
• Methodology

Chapter 2—Environmental Risk Governance: A Conceptual Overview

• Environmental Risk Governance Priorities
• The Political Economy of Environmental Risk Governance
• Summary

Chapter 3—Environmental Risk Assessment

• Rising Demand for Food
• How Will Canadian Producers React?
• The Climate Wild Card
• Key Risks
• Summary

Chapter 4—Industry and Consumer Action

• Business Environmental Risk Management
• Perceptions (and Misperceptions) About Environmental Management
• Processor and Retailer Environmental Risk Management
• Eco-Efficiency for Improved Performance
• Consumer Environmental Risk Management
• Summary

Chapter 5—Government Responses

• The Lay of the Land: Organizations and Functions
• Policy Approaches: Contributions and Impact
• Summary

Chapter 6—Key Action Steps

• Reviewing the Risks
• Toward a Comprehensive Risk Governance System
• Key Action Steps

Appendix A—Bibliography