InvertiGro had the opportunity to present at, and participate in, a Vertical Farming panel discussion during Canberra’s first ever sustainable food event, Food in the Capital (17 November 2020). Focusing on sustainable food futures and urban agriculture opportunities, the event brought together leading minds from food businesses and manufacturers, community groups, farmers, thought leaders and policy makers, from down the road, across Australia and around the globe.
By 2050, cities will be the consumers of more than 80% of the world’s food. With increasing global food security and sustainability challenges, more common-place extreme climate events and diminishing arable land as cities expand into some of the most fertile food bowls across the planet, the imperative for a more sustainable urban agriculture food future is now.
For the Australian Capital Territory to achieve its zero net emissions target by 2045, it must start to build a sustainable urban food production system, including reducing and using food waste. To this end Regional Development Australia recently developed a Proposal for Sustainable Urban Food in the Australian Capital Territory. The proposal aims to:
- Assist Canberra to become a fully sustainable city
- Build local businesses maximising the economic impact and jobs
- Enhance liveability, nutrition, community engagement and inclusiveness.