Research Library
Codex Planetarius: Reducing Key Environmental Impacts of Producing Globally Traded Food
Jason Clay, PhD
An introduction to the Codex Planetarius concept, this white paper explores the historical and market contexts in which Codex Planetarius arose, including the complexities of food commodity production, the need for global standards, and Codex Alimentarius’ precedent. It concludes by laying out requisite conditions and primary developmental phases for Codex Planetarius’s development.
Key Impacts, Metrics, and Minimum Performance Standards for Aquaculture Production
Claude E. Boyd, PhD
Aquaculture is a significant source of animal protein for human consumption, but it comes with environmental concerns. Dr. Claude E. Boyd, Professor Emeritus at Auburn University, provides an overview of aquaculture production, the negative environmental impacts of aquaculture, and proposed standards to limit aquaculture’s major impacts.
Lessons Learned from Voluntary Standards and Certification Programs
Patrick Mallet
Voluntary standards and certification programs have operated in the global economy for over 30 years. Patrick Mallet, Director of Innovations at ISEAL Alliance, explores 15 critical factors contributing to the effectiveness of these programs, assesses implications for a mandatory regulatory instrument, and puts forth considerations for the design of Codex Planetarius.
Mycorrhizal Fungi as Indicators of Soil Health
Toby Kiers, PhD, et. al.
Soil health in agroecosystems has become a major focus for sustainability efforts in recent years. However, it has been difficult to define a soil health indicator that intersects multiple variables. E. Toby Kiers of the Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment and colleagues explore whether arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi might serve as effective bioindicators and discuss the challenges of deploying quantification techniques at scale.
Experiences in Voluntary Standard Development as Related to Codex Planetarius
Claude E. Boyd, PhD
Developing voluntary standards to lessen environmental impacts of food production is problematic as there is no penalty for claiming to adopt such programs while not implementing all practices. Standards are often lenient, focused on practices rather than results. Codex Planetarius should develop metric-based standards focused on major environmental impacts of food commodities.
Water Quality Indicators and Metric-based Standards: Background and Suggestions for Codex Planetarius
Claude E. Boyd, PhD
Runoff from agricultural fields and effluents from aquaculture production often contain water pollutants, posing risks to the health of natural systems. Dr. Claude E. Boyd, Professor Emeritus at Auburn University, provides an overview of water-based pollutants, discusses existing regulations, and provides suggestions regarding the development of water quality standards for Codex Planetarius.
Environmental and Human Impact of Nitrogen Surplus from Food Production and “Safe” Levels of Nitrogen Surplus: A Consideration for Codex Planetarius
Steven Lord, PhD
Production of beef, soy, wheat, maize, rice, cotton often involves high nitrogen use and emissions, leading to environmental harm. Steven Lord, Senior Researcher Food System Economics at Oxford University, explores how Codex Planetarius could help reduce nitrogen use, the potential challenges of determining “safe” nitrogen levels at a commodity scale, and the quantification of performance standards at various application points.
Biodiversity as a Key Variable in Codex Planetarius
Kent H. Redford, PhD
There is no agriculture without biodiversity, explains Kent H. Reford of Archipelago Consulting. And yet, food production is one of the major drivers in the loss of biodiversity. There is broad recognition that agricultural practice must change to save the climate, the planet, and humankind. Herewith, three metrics to assess the biodiversity impacts of food production.