Riduzione ed eliminazione di modi di produzione e consumo alimentari insostenibili: il contributo dei trattati internazionali concernenti sostanze chimiche pericolose, cambiamenti climatici e tutela della biodiversità (Parte I)

Current food systems are seriously affected by the interrelated and cumulative effects of the triple planetary crisis: climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss. They also contribute, however, to create and exacerbate this dramatic situation. The reduction of the negative environmental impacts on (and by) food systems through a change in unsustainable patterns of production and consumption is, therefore, one of the essential conditions for addressing the global environmental crisis. This article analyses some selected multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) concerning chemical pollution, climate change, and biodiversity protection, to assess whether, and to what extent, they give effect to the principle of elimination and change of unsustainable patterns of production and consumption (Principle 8 of the 1992 Rio Declaration on Environment and Development) in the food sector. In particular, the article is divided into two parts. The present Part I focuses on the content and the legal nature of Principle 8 and the contribution of MEAs relating to chemical pollution to its implementation and, more generally, to food sustainability. Part II (that will be published in the following issue of this Rivista) will address the same topic from the perspective of MEAs relating to climate change and prevention of biodiversity loss. It will also include an overall critical assessment of the issues explored in Parts I and II in order to appraise what concrete steps have been really made within this fragmented legal framework to promote sustainable patterns of food production and consumption.