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On January 17, 2025, Hens Runhaar delivered his inaugural lecture at Utrecht University, officially beginning his tenure as Professor of Sustainable Food System Governance at the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Faculty of Geosciences. His address, “Governing Towards Sustainable Food Systems: New Connections for More Diversity,” showcased his lifelong passion for nature and his dedication to reshaping food systems for sustainability and biodiversity restoration.

While food systems are essential for global survival, they are also at the heart of the environmental crisis, driving 31% of global greenhouse gas emissions and consuming massive natural resources. Despite significant progress in food productivity, issues like malnutrition, food insecurity, and environmental degradation persist. Runhaar’s inaugural lecture highlighted these challenges as opportunities for systemic change. “Food systems are at the heart of sustainability”, he explained in a recent interview. “They hold immense potential to create both social equity and environmental progress.”

What drives me is the belief that if we can destroy ecosystems, we can also repair them

A personal passion for biodiversity

Runhaar’s deep commitment to biodiversity began in childhood, sparked by exploring his parents’ garden, where he would collect earthworms and beetles, marvelling at the wonders of nature. “From a young age, I was fascinated by how much biodiversity exists in rural and agricultural spaces,” he reflects. “What drives me is the belief that if we can destroy ecosystems, we can also repair them.” This early curiosity has shaped his career dedicated to studying biodiversity in agricultural landscapes.

Focus on the European Union

Runhaar’s work is particularly focused on food systems in the European Union, where intensive agriculture dominates. While this approach boosts productivity, it has come at a steep cost: environmental degradation and biodiversity loss. EU governance, often reliant on market-driven policies, struggles to balance economic goals with ecological needs. In his lecture, Runhaar emphasizes the importance of biodiversity restoration as a cornerstone for sustainable food systems. He advocates for practices such as agroecology and nature-inclusive farming to restore the balance between food production and environmental health.

Diversity as a guiding principle

Runhaar’s vision for change centers on diversity—not just in farming practices, but throughout food systems at all levels. At the farm level, he supports the adoption of practices like species-rich grasslands and mosaic landscapes, which enhance both ecological resilience and agricultural productivity. But he doesn’t stop there: dietary diversity is equally crucial. Shifting toward plant-based and seasonal eating patterns can reduce environmental impacts and improve human health.

Beyond farming and diets, diversity in relationships among stakeholders plays a vital role. Runhaar stressed the importance of building stronger connections between farmers, consumers, and policymakers to foster collaboration and innovation. Additionally, he advocated for diversity in knowledge systems by encouraging interdisciplinary research and debates. These efforts, he explained, can bridge polarized views—such as technology-based versus nature-based approaches—and foster mutual understanding and new solutions.