Practice Abstract about the public petitions in Austria
In June 2023, Austria conducted two important petitions for referendums that have garnered significant attention and support from the public. The first sought to enforce laws requiring supermarkets over 400 square meters to donate consumable food surplus to charities or for animal fodder, like existing laws in France, Italy, and the Czech Republic. The second sought to introduce a food product origin label, with the primary objective of promoting locally produced food and potentially leading to other innovative measures like the restriction of live animal transports and the creation of more local job opportunities, as well as having a positive impact on climate protection. The first petition secured 203,831 positive votes, and the second received 149,891 votes in favor. These vote totals exceeded the required threshold of 100,000 which means that they will need to be further considered in the national council.
In the ToNoWaste project, one of the aims is to research the awareness and visions of citizens about the consequences and implications of food waste. To reach this goal, the project involves various studies, one of which is a Delphi study. It aims to explore the perspectives of different stakeholders in the food system regarding solutions and actions to prevent and reduce food waste. Additionally, it seeks to establish criteria for evaluating the sustainability of these actions. The preliminary findings from the Delphi study align with the results of the public referendums, emphasizing the shared importance of these issues among professionals, academics, and the public in Austria as we work towards more sustainable food systems. For more information about the Delphi Study and its findings, please refer to the upcoming Practice Abstract.
TOWARDS A NEW ZERO FOOD WASTE MINDSET BASED ON HOLISTIC ASSESSMENT
Ongoing | 2022-2027
- Main funding source
- Horizon Europe (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
- Geographical location
- Spain, Austria, Netherlands, Sweden, Greece