Postings

This blog series discusses in greater depth the rationale for selecting the particular innovations Stepping Up is interested in; Anaerobic digestion; Insect proteins, Valorisation of food waste and Diversion of surplus food. In contrast to the other case studies chosen by Stepping Up, food diversion represents a wholly social innovation, which aims to reduce food waste and channel that resource into socially beneficial outlets, rather than maximise profits...

This blog series discusses in greater depth the rationale for selecting the particular innovations Stepping Up is interested in; Anaerobic digestion, Insect proteins, Valorisation of food waste and Diversion of surplus food. In the first of four, this blog starts by introducing anaerobic digestion... 

An important part of Stepping Up is the identification of people or organisations who are currently innovating around the use of technologies and/or ways of doing things. Case studies of actors’ experiences with these innovations will help us to understand specific projects and their outcomes, with particular emphasis on whether or not they might be considered ‘successful’ in terms of advancing nexus goals, helping us move towards a more sustainable future, as well as whether and how they might be scaled up. This blog introduces the four innovations at the heart of Stepping Up; anaerobic digestion, insect protein, valorisation of waste and the diversion of food from waste streams to people’s plates.

In September 2016 we convened a three-part session at the RGS International Conference in September 2016 on 'Water Energy and Food Nexus: Dealing with a wicked problem?". The session brought together all three EPSRC funded Water Energy Food Nexus projects: STEPPING UP(link is external), WEF WEB(link is external) and Vaccinating the Nexus(link is external), as well as contributions from a range of linked projects with relevant connections... 

h our project well underway, we held our first advisory board meeting in March. The meeting proved extremely valuable providing much food for thought. Discussions revolved around some of the key questions the team are grappling with. One such question was around what the big societal challenges relevant for the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) nexus. Here are some of the key points raised...

The STEPPING UP project is a collaboration between sustainability researchers at universities and research institutes across the UK. We are working to understand the interactions of water, energy and food sustainability and security in a changing world.

Stepping Up means testing whether a small innovation that improves sustainability for the Water-Energy-Food nexus is also a success at a larger scale. When rolled-out across a town, region or country, are the benefits still there?

Project Launched