Uncovered: The carbon footprint in food

• The carbon footprint in food will be created throughout its journey
• It starts at farming stages and how farms are run
• Meat and dairy products have the highest biggest carbon footprint per kilogram
• Fruit, vegetables and nuts have the lowest

Everything has a carbon footprint, from the food you eat to the clothes we wear, and this refers to the amount of greenhouse gases (GHG) it creates. 

The carbon footprint in food is created throughout its journey, from being made all the way to you consuming the product. What’s more, waste will also emit GHG, so if you find yourself throwing food away on a regular basis, it might be worth finding an alternative. 

In this guide, we dive further into the carbon footprint of food, key metrics and how you can make more sustainable choices when you shop. 

What is the carbon footprint of food?

The carbon footprint of food is produced through growing, rearing, farming, processing, transporting, storing, cooking and disposing of what you eat. 

Each stage will have a different impact on a food’s carbon footprint. BBC Goodfood, for example, says buying beef produced in the UK rather than Argentina will reduce transport emissions, even though red meat is a major contributor to climate change. 

If you end up throwing beef away, either as leftovers or because it was out of date, it will generate even more GHG emissions as it breaks down. The final step before purchase and consumption is its packaging. 

What key metrics are used to measure the carbon footprint of food?

Food production, including processing, manufacturing, packaging, distribution, refrigeration and cooking, as reported by the Commission for Environmental Cooperation, require resources. 

These include land, fresh water, fuel and chemical inputs, such as fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides. All of which affect the environment in their own way, such as air and water pollution, soil erosion, emissions of GHG and biodiversity loss. 

It starts at farming stages. Sustainable farming, for example, will use organic chemicals, with its animals running around on the farms, etc. 

Food miles will also contribute to the carbon footprint; Quite simply, the further it travels, the more emissions emitted. 

What factors affect the carbon footprint of food?

Like most things, the carbon footprint in food isn’t black and white, and there’s several factors that determine how much of it is in food. 

These include:

• Production methods – There are different types of farming, intensive or sustainable. Intensive uses more chemicals, pesticides and animals are kept indoors, etc. Sustainable farming, however, meets the needs of existing and future generations, while also ensuring profitability, environmental health and social and economic equity. 
• Transportation – How far your food travels has a huge impact on the environment
• Processing and packaging – Not all plastic packaging is recyclable and often gets thrown away, sending it to landfill. Overall, going loose is best or using a reusable bag.
• Food waste – The UK throws away around 9.5 million tonnes of food waste every year, with UK food retailers spending around £51,000 a year sending food to landfill. By sending food to landfill, naturally GHG emissions increase. 

What foods have the biggest carbon footprint?

It should come as no surprise that meat and dairy products have the highest biggest carbon footprint per kilogram, and fruit, vegetables and nuts have the lowest. 

Use the table below to get more clued up on how much GHG emissions each food subcategory emits. 

Which UK food has the highest carbon footprint?

Food imports are responsible for 33% of food-related GHG emissions in the UK, with UK-sourced ingredients responsible for 32%. 

More specifically, farming contributes an estimated 10-12% of food-related emissions, and UK food systems as a whole are responsible for 160 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. 

It’s best to shop local where possible, as this reduces the amount of food miles covered, having a positive impact on GHG emissions. 

However, the reality is local products can be more expensive, but the good news is that many supermarkets are stocking products, such as fruit and vegetables, sourced in the UK. 

Are plant-based foods more eco-friendly than meat?

Technically yes. A study titled ‘Going green with plant-based meat sustainability’ by the CAS Science Team found that when dealing with carbon emissions alone, plant-based meat is up to 120 times more carbon efficient than meat products. 

The study reported: “A recent 2021 study found that plant-based patties have a 77% smaller climate change burden than beef patties, with reduced land and water use, eutrophication and acidification.” 

The main criticism against plant-based meat sustainability, however, is that meat alternative products may not be as sustainable as a diet of plant-based whole foods. 

“While a valid debate, meat alternatives offer meat-eaters a more achievable behavioural change than switching to a plant-based whole foods diet, giving them an easier transition to a sustainable solution,” the report concluded. 

Ultimately, even having one meal consisting of plant-based meat or protein can help reduce your carbon footprint. 

How can I reduce the carbon footprint in my food?

You can reduce the amount of carbon footprint in your food by making simple changes, like not throwing food away. 

We’re not suggesting you eat the entire meal in one sitting, but consider saving it and using it for another meal later. Be sure to check how long it can be stored and plan accordingly. 

Alternatively, consider buying loose food. If it’s meat, try your local butcher, or if it’s fruit and veg, consider buying loose. In fact, buying locally can help you reduce food miles, thus cutting down on the carbon footprint. 

According to Health Line, eating more plant-based protein can cut greenhouse gas emissions. 

“In one study, people with the lowest GHG emissions had the highest intake of plant-based proteins, including legumes, nuts and seeds – and the lowest intake of animal proteins,” it reported. 

However, you don’t need to go fully plant-based. 

In fact, Health Line reported that one study of 55,504 people found that people who ate medium amounts of meat per day – 1.8-3.5 ounces – had a significantly lower carbon footprint than those who ate more than 3.5 ounces per day. 

Summary

• Food imports are responsible for 33% of food-related GHG emissions in the UK, with UK-sourced ingredients responsible for 32%. 
• A recent 2021 study found that plant-based patties have a 77% smaller climate change burden than beef patties
• According to Health Line, eating more plant-based protein can cut greenhouse gas emissions
• You can reduce the amount of carbon footprint in your food by making simple changes, like not throwing food away