UP2030

Across Europe, over 100 million students consume school meals daily, producing billions of meals annually. Yet, this critical system is fraught with inefficiencies: millions of tons of food waste are generated each year, and countless unused urban spaces remain untapped for sustainable food production. The UP2030 initiative is tackling this head-on with a pilot school in Zagreb leading the charge. Through innovations in circular food systems—School Farming, Food Production, Consumption, Waste, Composting, and back to Farming—this pilot showcases how schools can become sustainability champions while engaging students, teachers, and communities in the process.

Imagine transforming rooftops into green gardens, converting food scraps into nutrient-rich compost, and shifting student diets toward low-carbon meals like plant proteins. The potential is immense. This post explores these ideas and offers a practical framework for schools to join this movement, turning kitchens into hubs of innovation and sustainability.

This post explores practical ideas for schools to embrace this journey and serves as a call for other schools interested in joining this movement. It also provides a framework they can adapt and use to implement sustainability initiatives in their own kitchens and communities. Let’s work together to inspire change, build resilience, and set an example for the world.

 

In the evolving landscape of sustainability regulations, food processing companies face increasing pressure to balance profitability with social and environmental responsibility. The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) require businesses to adopt a double materiality approach—assessing both financial and societal impacts. In parallel, companies must manage their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across Scope 1, 2, and 3, aligning with global climate goals.

Why is Double Materiality Important for Cities?

Cities are complex ecosystems that face a wide range of sustainability challenges, from climate change and pollution to social inequality and economic instability. By adopting a double materiality approach, cities can:

Holistically Assess Risks and Opportunities: Double materiality enables cities to consider both the impact of their actions on the environment and society, and how external sustainability risks and opportunities can affect their financial stability and growth.

Align Urban Planning with Sustainability Goals: By integrating double materiality into urban planning, cities can ensure that their development strategies are aligned with sustainability goals, leading to more resilient and livable urban environments.

Enhance Stakeholder Engagement: Understanding both impact and financial materiality helps cities engage more effectively with stakeholders, including residents, businesses, and policymakers, by addressing their concerns and expectations.

Support Long-Term Decision-Making: Double materiality provides cities with the insights needed to make strategic decisions that balance short-term financial goals with long-term sustainability objectives.

Below are the results of the test survey conducted in Q2 of 2023. This survey played a crucial role in our ongoing research development process

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Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. This project has received funding from the Horizon Innovation Actions under the grant agreement n° 101096405.