The global food system is accountable for a third of global emissions of greenhouse gas (GHG), according to new research by the UN Food and Agricultural Organization and involving experts from the United Nations Industrial Organization (UNIDO), National Aeronautics and Space Administration and other policy-focused research centres and institutions.

Specifically, the research presents new estimates of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the food system developed at the country level. The study integrates data from crop and livestock production, on-farm energy use, land use and land use change, domestic food transport and food waste disposal.

In addition to global and regional estimates of energy use in food supply chains, the research results indicate that food system emissions amounted to 16 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide or equivalents in 2018. This represents an 8 percent increase in greenhouse gas emissions since 1990.

Based on the research, a quarter of food system emissions were obtained through land use change at the conversion boundaries of natural ecosystems to agricultural land.

Meanwhile, the other three-quarters were generated either within the farm gate or during pre- and post-production activities, such as manufacturing, transport, processing and waste disposal.

UNIDO’s Alessandro Flammini notes that the amount of emissions from pre- and post-production activities is much higher than usually perceived. He indicated that detailed emissions information about critical components of the food system beyond crops, livestock and land use are only recently becoming available.

The food system is recognized as a central issue in climate change mitigation, he indicates. “The majority of the mitigation commitments communicated by countries to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) include agriculture and land use as strategic priorities, but these cover mainly the non-CO2 emissions generated within the farm gate.”

Findings of the research on food system and GHG emissions

“Important CO2 emissions of food production and consumption are not accounted for in this inventory category, and are spread under other IPCC categories such as energy, industry or waste, making it difficult to realize the importance of food for greenhouse gas emissions.”

The researchers developed new food system data at the country level for the period 1990–2018 for: domestic food transport (mainly CO2); food waste disposal (CH4 emissions from the decomposition of solid food waste in landfills and CO2 emissions from the incineration of food waste); and CH4 and N2O emissions from domestic and industrial wastewater management.

The research results highlight the potential of food-related greenhouse mitigation strategies, providing the background for innovative approaches in food supply chains, consumption, and waste processes.

In addition, the study hints that industry is responsible for around 30% of GHG emissions, underpins the relevance of UNIDO’s mandate for climate change mitigation.

Moreover, this is waiting of the Food System Summit slated for the September 2021. At the event, UN Secretary-General António Guterres is said to convene the summit as part of the Decade of Action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.