FOODTURE will deliver long-term scientific impact by advancing methodologies and strengthening the knowledge base in environmental assessment. The project is expected to contribute significantly to the development of Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) methods and the application of precision agriculture in areas such as land use, soil erosion, biodiversity, and pollution analysis. These advancements will be supported by robust data and best practices in sustainable agriculture and LCA.
FOODTURE places strong emphasis on open access, enabling broad dissemination of knowledge and fostering capacity building across the research and innovation ecosystem. By making its results freely available, the project supports higher citation rates, increased visibility, and the creation of new knowledge. Research institutions, entrepreneurs, food producers, and society at large will benefit from improved access to scientific outputs, particularly in a field of high public interest such as environmental and food system sustainability.
FOODTURE is expected to contribute to a measurable shift in the economic and financial landscape by encouraging sustainability-driven innovation and transparency across the food value chain. The project supports the development of tools and data that enable producers to engage in eco-design and more credible sustainability communication, responding to growing market incentives for environmentally responsible practices.
As consumer behavior continues to evolve—with nearly 80% of consumers already adjusting preferences based on social and environmental values – FOODTURE’s outputs will help businesses align with demand for traceable, locally rooted, and responsible products. In parallel, the growing influence of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) performance on investment decisions underscores the relevance of FOODTURE’s work. By strengthening sustainability metrics, the project helps position stakeholders to capture greater long-term value and resilience in a market increasingly driven by impact and accountability.
FOODTURE contributes to informed consumer choices by improving transparency around the environmental impacts of food products. Clear and accessible information empowers consumers to make more responsible dietary decisions, which can significantly reduce the overall environmental footprint of food consumption in Europe. Evidence from labelling studies shows that such informed engagement can lead to a measurable reduction in environmental impacts—up to 10% in some cases.
Beyond environmental benefits, improved food basket choices also offer public health co-benefits, as better-informed consumers are more likely to adopt dietary patterns that support both individual well-being and systemic change. FOODTURE uses the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) methodology to establish benchmarks and assess progress. Based on macro-level food consumption data and disaggregated impact indicators, the project estimates notable reductions across six key environmental indicators within five years of completion, demonstrating the potential for large-scale impact through better information and behavior change.
