Designing the Food Transition

Why we don't choose what we think we choose, and what that means for the climate.

Food accounts for roughly a third of global greenhouse gas emissions. Shifting what we eat is one of the most powerful climate levers we have, and one of the hardest to pull.

Policy sets the goals, and more and more restaurants and canteens offer plant-based dishes. But more options don't automatically mean more people choosing them. Most food decisions happen in seconds, on autopilot, shaped by what's in front of us. Some well-meant efforts even backfire: in research on menu labelling, putting vegetarian dishes in their own "vegetarian" section made people order them less.

So what does it take to close the gap between what's on offer and what people actually eat?

In this interactive session we follow the food transition from the big picture to the plate, bringing together perspectives on health, policy and behavioural design.

Programme

17:30 – Welcome

Why it matters: what we eat today, what a healthy, sustainable diet looks like, and how food and climate are connected

Policy: how cities, universities and public institutions can shape plant-forward food environments

Your turn: if you ran the restaurant, what would you put on the menu?

Choice design: why the offer alone isn't enough, and how menus, language, placement and defaults steer what ends up on our plates, with real examples and results

Discussion & Q&A: who has the responsibility, and the opportunity, to redesign our food environments?

19:00–19:30 – Networking

Speakers

Aisling Hayes, Sustainability Consultant and Nutrition & Health Coach

Juan Casadiego, Scientific Advisor at Plant Based Treaty

Rosanne Hakfoort, Founder of Smart Menu Design

Moderator

Sarah Heaney, Founder of Impact Food Brands

For whom

Anyone working on or curious about climate action, behaviour change, food systems, public policy or sustainability. No food industry background needed. You'll leave seeing every menu differently.

By registering for this event, you agree to share your registration information with the organizers of BCN Climate Week.