Protein
Transition
TECHNOLOGICAL,
ECONOMICAL & SOCIETAL IMPACT OF GLOBAL PROTEIN SUSTAINABILITY
Disruptive innovation can be defined as the introduction of new technologies and products -such as generated by cellular
biotechnology- that unexpectedly displace and established technology and often "disrupts" the status quo.
By 2050, the
global population is predicted to reach 9.8 billion of which more than 8 billion will live in the developing world of today. The
expected increase in income per capita will confer increased competition for resources and, subsequently, there will be great need to
"produce more and using less".
Population growth, climate change, ecosystem degradation, as well as scarcity of energy,
water and land are making today's food production increasingly unsustainable. Land, water and energy are three major but limited
resources needed to increasing future food production, which may particularly challenge resource-intensive livestock industry.
Extensive production systems tend to increase environmental impacts, especially when considering that sustainability is the balance
of responsibility, economic viability and social acceptability. Especially for the growing population in developing countries, the
availability of animal protein sources i.e. meat, dairy and eggs should not be underestimated.Consumption of these foods, which are
deeply embedded in social culture and are signs of wellbeing and prosperity, will continue to increase.