April 4, 2022

Sustainability for a New Generation

Consumers are increasingly prioritizing sustainability to protect the planet – a shift driven in large part by Generation Z (born 1997-2012). According to research by First Insight, Inc., 62% of Gen Z survey respondents prefer to do business with sustainable brands, similar to millennial responses. However, only 54% of Generation X and 39% of Baby Boomers agreed. Additionally, 73% of Gen Z participants were willing to pay more for sustainable products, a higher percentage than all other generational groups: Millennials (68%), Gen X (55%), and Baby Boomers (42%). It’s clear with Gen Zers that sustainability is the expectation.

With the world’s population expected to reach nine billion by 2050, there is no question that feeding that growing number in a nutritious and safe manner without harming the world’s natural resources for future generations will be a challenge. We must continue to find ways to increase the efficiency of our resources and feed the world in more connected ways that are safe, sustainable, and affordable. Our success is dependent on how quickly our global food production methods evolve; we can’t continue to keep doing things the way we always have been. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), if the global population does in fact exceed nine billion within the next 30 years, we will require the equivalent of almost three planets to provide the natural resources needed to sustain current lifestyles.

Given the food sector’s impact on global health and wellbeing, the next generation of global food system leaders will be instrumental in driving a new wave of sustainability breakthroughs in the industry. With such widespread implications, multi-sector, multi-stakeholder partnerships will be necessary for success. As we look ahead toward creating a more sustainable future, our emerging food system leaders will need to work across silos to generate innovative ideas that reverse current trends and reshape the future of the global food system.
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Integrated Food Systems Leadership (IFSL) Program
The University of Minnesota online IFSL program fosters leadership, collaboration, and innovation across all aspects of the food system. The dynamic format allows you to choose the best program for your goals, including individual courses, a 12-month graduate certificate, and a Master’s degree. Contact us for more information on how to create your specific future degree.