Table 2 Expert assessment of discrepancies and recommendations for response (St. 6)

Discrepancies in innovations contributing to a reduction of land required for (per capita) food production (in Germany)

Reasons for lower probability

- The consumption of meat dominates diets, which makes the introduction of innovations favouring other forms of nutrition difficult

- Societal reluctance to accept new consumption and production patterns that could avoid intensification of soil management while increasing food production

- Technological possibilities and knowledge is not sufficient to implement less land-intensive cultivation methods (e.g., indoor farming, vertical farming, cultured meat) while ensuring efficiency and scalability

- Regulatory settings are not favouring novel production methods in Germany

Reasons for higher desirability

- The growing population calls for solutions to reduce the land required for (per capita) food production while ensuring sufficient supply

- New land for renaturation is needed to save the environment

- Reduction of livestock farming

Options for “doing good” with innovations contributing to a reduction of land required for (per capita) food production (in Germany)

Institutions, Structures & Procedures

- Engage in political/societal debates to increase market prices of animal products by showing their real prices (e.g., to include cost of negative externalities or  adjust sales tax, such as a lower tax on more "sustainable" food options)

- Engage in political/societal debates to facilitate the approval of new food sources or production processes and thereby make innovations for sustainability more economically viable

- Incorporate activities for awareness-raising and education to emphasise the benefits of plant-based diets

- Increase participation and transparency to engage with society (e.g., utilize positive narratives in terms of novel production methods)

- Strengthen closer cooperation between scientific and business stakeholders (e.g., to allow knowledge transfer)

- Establish training opportunities and attractive working environments to acquire and keep skilled workers for technological advancements

- Involve more traditional agri-food actors (e.g., farmers)

- Identify indicators to set sustainability standards

- Establish education programmes (e.g., in schools highlighting plant-based (vegan) diets or revitalising self-sufficiency (e.g., through urban gardening  in areas like roofs, gardens, or allotment garden colonies) to promote a dietary change among the population

- Involve political decision-makers to create attractive markets (e.g., reduce low-cost competition from abroad)

- Focus on extensive pasture farming (e.g., use of local resources such as fertilisers and water)

- Consider (local) compensation areas to benefit biodiversity

- Specialize in vertical farming (e.g., hydroponic forms) to reduce the use of resources

- Account for ecological value to increase land use through ecological farming (e.g., mixed cultures instead of monocultures or the diversification of land use)

- Increase efficiency in production (e.g., through automation, high-precision farming or optimized technologies)