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Externalities

Externalities are side-effects of activities or economic transactions that affect people who did not take part in the activity or transaction. Externalities can be negative (for example second-hand smoke from cigarettes can make other people ill) or positive (for example vaccines can protect those who do not receive them, by reducing the spread of disease). Externalities are not usually reflected in the price of an economic transaction, because the costs are usually borne by third parties.

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The FAO 2023 State of Food and Agriculture report cover featuring a photo of some fruit at a market
Reports
The State of Food and Agriculture 2023
This year's State of Food and Agriculture report is the first in a two year focus on the true cost of food for sustainable agrifood systems. The report uses the true cost accounting approach to demonstrate the hidden environmental, health and social costs and benefits of the agrifood system, so that actors can make more informed choices that lead to transformative policies and decision making. 
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Chicken, bacon, and sausages cooked on a barbeque. Photo by Marcus Spiske via Unsplash.
Journal articles
Friend or Foe? The Role of Animal-Source Foods in Healthy and Environmentally Sustainable Diets
There has been a lot of discussion about the health and environmental benefits and risks of animal-source foods (which include meat, fish, eggs and dairy). This paper examined the current evidence on these benefits and risks, finding that these impacts vary massively depending on local context and population development.
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