Content uploaded by Joseph Poore
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Joseph Poore on Nov 27, 2019
Content may be subject to copyright.
A preview of the PDF is not available
Reducing food's environmental impacts through producers and consumers
Abstract and Figures
The global impacts of food production
Food is produced and processed by millions of farmers and intermediaries globally, with substantial associated environmental costs. Given the heterogeneity of producers, what is the best way to reduce food's environmental impacts? Poore and Nemecek consolidated data on the multiple environmental impacts of ∼38,000 farms producing 40 different agricultural goods around the world in a meta-analysis comparing various types of food production systems. The environmental cost of producing the same goods can be highly variable. However, this heterogeneity creates opportunities to target the small numbers of producers that have the most impact.
Science , this issue p. 987
Figures - uploaded by Joseph Poore
Author content
All figure content in this area was uploaded by Joseph Poore
Content may be subject to copyright.
Supplementary resources (3)
... In recent history, the proportion of meat in human diets has been increasing rapidly (González et al. 2020), driving significant expansion of agricultural practices, land and impacts (IPBES 2019). The production of meat for human consumption requires significantly more land than plants, with 77% of global farming land being used for livestock grazing and to grow crops to feed that livestock (Poore and Nemecek 2018). The production and consumption of meat also contribute to higher carbon emissions than vegetarian diets (González et al. 2020). ...
... Variation in the opportunity cost of food production Animal products generally have substantially greater impacts on species' extinction risk than staple vegetal products (Figure 1). This is a result of the inherently inefficient nature of these products (Halpern, 2022;Poore, 2018): producing a unit of animal product requires grazing land and/or cropland for feed production, which when combined with the intrinsic feed conversion efficiency of animals leads to high land use and hence extinction impacts. Ruminant meat, for example, has a weighted global median opportunity cost on species extinctions ~340 times greater than that of grains, by mass. ...
Agriculturally-driven habitat degradation and destruction is the biggest threat to global biodiversity, yet the impacts on extinctions of different types of food and where they are produced and the mitigation potential of different interventions remain poorly quantified. Here we link the LIFE biodiversity metric – a high-resolution global layer describing the marginal impact of land-use on extinctions of ~30K vertebrate species – with food consumption and production data and provenance modelling. Using an opportunity cost framing we discover that the impact of producing one kilogram of different food commodities on species extinction risks varies widely both across and within foods, in many cases by more than an order of magnitude. Despite marked differences in per-capita impacts across countries, there are consistent patterns that could be leveraged for mitigating harm to biodiversity. In particular, we find that animal products and commodities grown in the tropics are generally much more impactful than staple crops and vegetables grown elsewhere. We anticipate the approach and results outlined here could inform decision-making across many levels, from national policies to individual dietary choices.
... Dynamics of soybean production in European countries (2013-2023)Source: аuthors' research based on data from the Austrian Development Agency, the State Statistics Service, and the Ministry of Agrarian Policy of Ukraine USDA), Ukraine moved up two places in the ranking, second only to Brazil -39%, the US -37%, India -27%, Argentina -11%, China -10%, Paraguay and Canada( Jansson et al., 2019;Poore & Nemecek, 2019). ...
The subject of this work is the implementation of the strategy of sustainable development in Ukraine, which is based on ensuring national interests and fulfilling international obligations, it is envisaged to overcome imbalances that exist, in particular, in the environmental sphere, the harmonisation of global climate change trends with international standards through the introduction of scientific aspects of organic soybean production. The objective of the present study is to analyse the global soybean market and ascertain its particular significance within the global production of oil crops. This analysis will establish the sustainable soybean production zone in non-irrigated regions and the guaranteed production zone. The research methodology is based on European experience, taking into account the theoretical and methodological provisions of the scientific aspects of organic soybean production in Ukraine. The aim of this methodology is to greening agriculture, soil conservation and rational use of bioecosystems. It has been found that the rational use of natural resources through the organic production of soybeans, through the development and implementation of bio-organic farming technologies, improves the culture of agriculture, restores and improves soil fertility, and increases the amount of available protein products and nutritious fodder. The findings of the research indicate that the organic matter present in the soil functions as a vital indicator of its fertility. It plays a pivotal role in the nutritional sustenance of plants, the establishment of favourable physicochemical properties, and the migration of diverse chemical elements. The most significant soil processes are predominantly associated with the enhancement of the agricultural sector. It has been proven that a genuine source of organic matter for enhancing soil fertility is the development of organic models of soybean cultivation technology. Consequently, the substantiation of its agrobiological potential in selected areas of sustainable production on non-irrigated land will ensure the territorial transformation of the "soybean belt". A new stage in the production of soybean crops is substantiated, which will contribute to the rational use of hydrothermal resources of the region, increase the gross production of soybean seeds, biologisation of agriculture, and production of high-quality, environmentally friendly products.
... The Eq. (12)(13)(14) are used to calculate the levelised cost of SCP according to the guideline by NREL 75 . Abbreviations: capital recovery factor (crf), also known as annuity factor, weighted average cost of capital (WACC), lifetime (N), applied technology (i), capital expenditures per unit of capacity (Capex), annual operational expenditures per unit of capacity (Opex), generation (Gen). ...
The environmental impacts of the food system exceed several planetary boundaries, with protein production being a major contributor. Single-Cell Protein (SCP) is a protein-rich microbial biomass that offers a sustainable alternative when derived from renewable energy and sustainable feedstocks. We evaluate the global potential for SCP production utilising electrolytic hydrogen and oxygen, atmospheric carbon dioxide and nitrogen, and hourly-optimised hybrid PV-wind power plants at a 0.45° × 0.45° spatial resolution. We outline a roadmap for industrial-scale production, commencing in 2028, targeting an annual capacity of 30 million tonnes of protein by 2050. Here we show that the cost of renewable electricity-based protein (e-protein) could decline at optimal sites from 5.5–6.1 € kg⁻¹ in 2028 to 4.0–4.5 € kg⁻¹ by 2030, and further to 2.1–2.3 € kg⁻¹ by 2050. Consequently, e-protein production can mostly decouple protein supply from water and arable land constraints, substantially mitigating the environmental impacts of food production.
... Emissions from aquaculture are highly dependent on the feed source [162]. Terrestrial-based animal proteins produce significantly higher GHG emissions than fishmeal and most fishmeal alternatives [163,164]. The GHG emissions caused by meat protein (beef and veal, poultry, pig, sheep) production in Africa were estimated to be 543 Mio tons carbon equivalent [116]. ...
The aquaculture industry is a significant source of food proteins and other essential nutrients, providing the much-needed requirements for human nutrition. However, identifying sustainable and affordable feed ingredients for a growing aquaculture sector remains a significant challenge for the industry. The African aquaculture sector, in particular, is developing discernibly but faces distinct socioeconomic and infrastructural challenges. Elevated usage of fishmeal is financially challenging and associated with significant socioeconomic and ecological risks. This review examines the potential alternative feed protein sources for the sustainable growth of the African aquaculture sector while addressing associated challenges, including lack of processing technology and investments, availability, economic viability, policy regulations, social conflicts, and anti-nutritive substances. Alternative proteins have considerable potential for the African aquaculture industry in terms of sustainability and economic viability. By-products from animals could be the most promising alternative for the near future, as they are cost-effective, available , and do not compete with humans as a protein source. Insect proteins have the most promising potential alternatives but lack utilization and compete with human consumption. Shortfalls in processing technology, infrastructure, and targeted investments are significant bottlenecks that must be resolved to increase African aquaculture production.
While the consumption of animal‐based food is linked with many environmental and health‐related effects, consumption of plant‐based protein is less harmful and aligns more closely with the principles of sustainable development. This study evaluates the historical consumption of protein in Europe, emphasizing the importance of sustainable development in shaping consumption patterns. It identifies factors that play a crucial role in European consumers' preferences. The results provide vital insights into the nature of protein consumption in Europe, which can serve as a foundation for proposals for future policies that prioritize sustainable development. Specifically, the findings suggest that as GDP per capita rises, protein consumption increases. Additionally, various cultural, socioeconomic, and geographical variables influence protein consumption, implying that the future behavior of consumers and the supply of plant‐based or animal‐based protein will not uniformly impact all European countries.
The aquaculture sector faces a trilemma of simultaneously boosting production, decreasing nutrient discharges and reducing CO2 emissions. Here we evaluate the growth trajectories and ecological footprints of different aquaculture systems in China, considering both business as usual and ecological transformation scenarios, and anticipate the evolution of sustainable aquaculture in the post-carbon neutrality era. We explore a two-step approach involving ecological transformation and green aquaculture. By adjusting the annual growth rates of six out of nine aquaculture systems, energy use, nitrogen discharge, land use and freshwater usage per unit of mass gain could be reduced by 1.70%, 6.89%, 7.12% and 8.86%, respectively, by 2050 compared with the business as usual levels. Owing to changes in the energy supply mix in China, by 2050, the total CO2 emissions from aquaculture will only increase by 5.7% compared with the level in 2021. Once carbon neutrality is attained, the focus should shift to mitigating nutrient discharges. Our findings underscore the necessity for substantial improvement in the Chinese aquaculture development plan and offer a blueprint for sustainable aquaculture advancement for guiding policy and practice.
In order to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from beef production Uruguayan and New Zealand systems have a significant role to play. Despite the differences, both are exposed to the same threats, i.e. more profitable alternative systems competing for the land, with enhanced production through intensification being a common response, and increasing pressure on the environment. This issue has attracted attention around the world concerning climate change and GHG emissions associated with animal production systems. The comparison using a whole-farm model (OVERSEER®), shows clear differences in GHG emissions, with higher emissions (in carbon dioxide equivalents, CO2 eq) per kilogram of beef on Uruguayan farms (18.4-21.0 kg CO2 eq/beef) compared with New Zealand farms (8-10 kg CO2 eq/beef) as a result of lower production efficiency. However, the emissions per hectare were higher on intensive New Zealand farms (3013-6683 kg CO2 eq/ha/year) than on Uruguayan farms (1895-2226 kg CO2 eq/ha/year) due to high stocking rates and increased inputs. Sensitivity analysis revealed a large effect of methodology and the benefit of using tier 2 factors that account for differences in animal productivity and feed quality. Nitrous oxide emissions factors for animal excreta determined in New Zealand are half of the default IPCC factors, while activity factors for indirect nitrous oxide emissions from excreta-ammonia and N leaching are 50% and 23% respectively. Increased feed conversion efficiency in the more intensive systems was associated with lower GHG intensity but farm systems also need to account for other environmental factors that are more important on a regional or catchment basis.
The study of the environmental impact of agricultural products has significantly grown in recent years, as consumers now demand more information about the product’s footprint in the environment. The aim of this study is to assess the environmental impact of the life cycle phases of tsipouro production, which is one of the traditional products of Greece produced mainly from viticulture. The environmental analysis was performed through the study of eutrophication, global warming, photochemical oxidation and acidification, using the life cycle assessment methodology. The system was studied through fifteen subsystems and a 250 ml bottle of tsipouro, which was the basis of the calculations, was defined as a functional unit. From the results it appears that the process of tsipouro production is the subsystem with the highest energy consumption and the grape cultivation the one with the highest water consumption. In environmental impact the subsystem with the highest contribution is the cultivation of grapes. Also the subsystems production/transportation and use of fertilizers, bottle production/transportation and the process of tsipouro production have a significant contribution. In addition, some literature-based solutions are suggested. Some of the solutions are the use of clearer energy sources, the use of biodiesel and alternative cultivation methods without synthetic fertilizers. The results of this research can be used by tsipouro or similar industries to minimize the environmental impact and focus on the phases that are most involved in it.
Pasture systems for grass-fed beef production in the Gulf Coast region were evaluated for profitability and sustainability over the period 2009/2010 to 2011/2012. May-weaned steers were divided into groups and randomly placed into different pasture systems. Data on input usage, output quantities, and carbon emissions were recorded and analyzed. The least complex grazing system yielded higher profit than the most complex, but the most complex produced the lowest greenhouse gas impact. A trade-off was found between profitability and greenhouse gas impact among the systems.
Feeding late maturing young bulls on high concentrate diets needs adjustment of both animal feeding behaviour and rumen adaptation which can be done by feeding maize silage according to researchers at the National Institute of Agronomic Research, Saint-Genès Champanelle, France who state good economic results are achievable alongside animal welfare.
This study aims to produce multicriteria environmental figures (using Life Cycle Assessment, LCA) associated with socioeconomicindicators for different types of pig units representative of the main French production standards. Eight systems are assessed,defined by their size, the degree of specialization and the location of the pig unit, the slurry management and the pig feedingstrategy. The results are expressed per kilogram live pig produced at the farm level, and the field for Life Cycle Analysis includesproduction and supply of inputs, construction of buildings, pig breeding and management of slurry. These reference standardsprovide a picture of the socioeconomic and environmental performance of French pig production systems and of their variabilitybetween and within systems. The environmental results make it possible to identify the most strategic and easily attainableoptions of improvement. The efficiency of different strategies is evaluated in connection with feed formulation, improvement ofanimal performance, and the implementation of recommended good environmental practices. The socioeconomic indicators showthe various levels of access to the action levers.
In a world with an increasing urban population, analyzing the construction impacts of sanitation infrastructures through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is necessary for defining the best environmental management strategies. The purpose of this research is studying application of the life cycle assessment methodology to Hazelnut production under rain fed farming systems in forest north of Iran. Data were collected from 36 farms by used a face to face questionnaire method during 2013 year in Guilan province. In rain fed farming system, total green house gases emissions for hazelnut production were showed table 2 (66.955 kgCO2eqha-1).
https://hau.repository.guildhe.ac.uk/id/eprint/17326/