The Food Industry's Climate Challenge
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The Food Industry's Climate Challenge

09 October 2023 / Report

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CEO Insight Minute: Can the Food Sector Reduce GHG…
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CEO Insight Minute: Can the Food Sector Reduce GHGs by 2050?

Nearly 25 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions come from food production. How much can we decarbonize the food sector?

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Roughly one quarter of all GHG emissions come from global food production, so the global push to net zero must include decarbonizing this industry. The task will be difficult because of its complexity. New methods, efficient technologies, and changes in consumption will be needed.

Insights for What’s Ahead

  • The entire food industry contributes roughly one-third of all GHG emissions globally, and strategies to reach net zero by 2050 could be difficult to implement. Businesses could play an important role by using more efficient technologies in agriculture and the raising of livestock, as well as by implementing alternative and more sustainable ways to produce food.
  • Food production not only generates large quantities of GHG emissions but also stresses resources such as water and land. The decarbonization of food would require changes in farming methods and some behavioral changes. Greater irrigation efficiency could reduce water demand by more than half (see our brief Is Water Running Out?) and regenerative farming could lower GHG emissions in the long term.
  • More sustainable food production could be enhanced by behavioral changes and greater efficiencies. According to a survey by The Conference Board, only 35 percent of US consumers indicate readiness to reduce animal protein consumption; 60 percent appear ready to reduce food waste, which is responsible for 6 percent of all GHG emissions globally. Consumption of less carbon-intensive alternatives could lower the industry’s overall environmental footprint.

Roughly one quarter of all GHG emissions come from global food production, so the global push to net zero must include decarbonizing this industry. The task will be difficult because of its complexity. New methods, efficient technologies, and changes in consumption will be needed.

Insights for What’s Ahead

  • The entire food industry contributes roughly one-third of all GHG emissions globally, and strategies to reach net zero by 2050 could be difficult to implement. Businesses could play an important role by using more efficient technologies in agriculture and the raising of livestock, as well as by implementing alternative and more sustainable ways to produce food.
  • Food production not only generates large quantities of GHG emissions but also stresses resources such as water and land. The decarbonization of food would require changes in farming methods and some behavioral changes. Greater irrigation efficiency could reduce water demand by more than half (see our brief Is Water Running Out?) and regenerative farming could lower GHG emissions in the long term.
  • More sustainable food production could be enhanced by behavioral changes and greater efficiencies. According to a survey by The Conference Board, only 35 percent of US consumers indicate readiness to reduce animal protein consumption; 60 percent appear ready to reduce food waste, which is responsible for 6 percent of all GHG emissions globally. Consumption of less carbon-intensive alternatives could lower the industry’s overall environmental footprint.

Author

Alexander Heil, PhD

Alexander Heil, PhD Alexander Heil, PhD

Senior Economist
The Conference Board

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