Coordinating food security and environmental performance in Belt and Road agri-food systems

TY - JOUR

T1 - Coordinating food security and environmental performance in Belt and Road agri-food systems

AU - Wang, Yizhe

AU - Wu, Linxiu

AU - Wei, Ziyi

AU - Tan, Tang

AU - Yu, Yajuan

AU - Wang, Zhen

AU - Huang, Kai

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2025

PY - 2025/6/1

Y1 - 2025/6/1

N2 - Agricultural and food security cooperation has emerged as a cornerstone of the current Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). However, most BRI countries are facing the twin challenges of ecological degradation and food insecurity. Here, we developed a Boundary–Impact–Coupling framework by integrating Doughnut Economics, Multi-regional Input–Output Models, and the Coupling Coordination Degree Model. Within this framework, we delineated the dual boundaries of agri-food systems, namely the ecological ceilings and food security thresholds, and identified the food security and environmental performance of BRI countries in 2020, along with their interactions. Results indicate that most BRI countries face dual crises of environmental boundaries transgressions and food insecurity. Trade-offs between food security and environmental performance are widespread, underscoring the necessity for sustainable agricultural transitions. These findings offer valuable insights to support policies that balance food security and environmental sustainability, thereby promoting a green transformation in agriculture within the BRI.

AB - Agricultural and food security cooperation has emerged as a cornerstone of the current Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). However, most BRI countries are facing the twin challenges of ecological degradation and food insecurity. Here, we developed a Boundary–Impact–Coupling framework by integrating Doughnut Economics, Multi-regional Input–Output Models, and the Coupling Coordination Degree Model. Within this framework, we delineated the dual boundaries of agri-food systems, namely the ecological ceilings and food security thresholds, and identified the food security and environmental performance of BRI countries in 2020, along with their interactions. Results indicate that most BRI countries face dual crises of environmental boundaries transgressions and food insecurity. Trade-offs between food security and environmental performance are widespread, underscoring the necessity for sustainable agricultural transitions. These findings offer valuable insights to support policies that balance food security and environmental sustainability, thereby promoting a green transformation in agriculture within the BRI.

KW - Belt and road initiative

KW - Doughnut economics

KW - Environmental footprints

KW - Food security

KW - Input–output analysis

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105002004261

U2 - 10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108304

DO - 10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108304

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:105002004261

SN - 0921-3449

VL - 219

JO - Resources, Conservation and Recycling

JF - Resources, Conservation and Recycling

M1 - 108304

ER -