Design interventions for sustainable eating: Case studies across UK and China

Abstract

The promotion of sustainable and healthy eating habits plays a pivotal role in enhancing the overall sustainability of food systems and addressing environmental pressures. Defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a lifestyle that is ‘low in environmental impact, convenient, affordable, safe and fair, and culturally acceptable.’ Recent technological advancements have expanded designers' exploration and innovative approaches to design for sustainable eating and reduce environmental impacts on food wastage. Design for Sustainable Behaviour (DfSB) has emerged as a valuable framework guiding the design, selection and evaluation of behaviour change interventions aimed at fostering responsible consumption and sustainable practices. This paper conducted four case studies to provide an overview of design practices in the field of design for sustainable eating via the lens of DfSB, focusing on technology-enabled behaviour change interventions to promote responsible food consumption. This paper contributes to the development of design interventions towards fostering sustainable eating behaviour whilst outlining the position of technology-enabled behaviour change. The findings provide design-focused insights for the creative industry in shaping sustainable food consumption towards a sustainable food system.