Project
Modelling Regenerative Agriculture Futures
This project explores how regenerative agriculture can contribute to a sustainable food system that operates within planetary boundaries. By developing future scenarios, it aims to understand how farming practices that restore ecosystems can support both environmental and human well-being. The research uses modelling tools to assess the potential impact of these farming practices and inform transitions toward a more resilient agricultural system.
Introduction
Our current food system places great pressure on the planet. To ensure a livable future, we need to rethink how we grow and consume food. One promising approach is regenerative agriculture, which aims to restore ecosystems while building a food system that is resilient in a changing climate.
Objective
This PhD project explores the potential of regenerative agriculture to help keep the food system within planetary boundaries, addressing challenges such as GHG emissions, land use, water use, and nitrogen and phosphorus application. The aim is to develop future scenarios that show how a regenerative and environmentally sustainable food system could look in the Netherlands, in Europe, and at the global level.
Method
The Circular Food System (CiFoS) model will be used to develop scenarios that align global food systems with both human and planetary health. CiFoS is a biophysical optimization model that optimizes the food system under different conditions. It allows for the integration of healthy diets, circular resource flows, and crop allocation while minimizing different environmental impacts.
As a first step, the model will be extended to include water use, allowing for analysis of how water interacts with other environmental impacts such as land use, nutrient cycles and greenhouse gas emissions. Next, regenerative agricultural practices will be integrated into the model, using a combination of literature, existing datasets, and new data gathered through ReGeNL Work Package 3A.
(Expected) results
The results of this research will contribute to the output of work package 3B of ReGeNL by creating a modelling toolkit that incorporates regenerative practices. This toolkit will help predict the environmental impacts of regenerative agriculture across different spatial scales, supporting the assessment of sustainability outcomes within the ReGeNL project.
