Want to fight climate change? Start by checking what's on your plate Home / News Center / Blog Posts / Want to fight climate change? Start by checking what's ...
December 18, 2018 Julie Nash, Ph.D.
Most food companies are tackling only a tiny fraction of their greenhouse gas emissions, despite the fact the sector produces more climate-causing gases than transport and buildings sectors combined. Be honest: when you’re thinking about lowering your carbon footprint at home, your mind jumps first to driving less and turning down the thermostat.But do you ever think about the food you’re eating? You should.
The agriculture sector produces nearly one-quarter of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. That’s more than the transportation and building sectors combined, according to the latest climate change report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). And by 2050, agriculture-related emissions are expected to be 80% higher due to population growth and global diets shifting to more carbon-intensive foods – ie meat.
"Efforts to date to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in agricultural supply chains are only baby steps" To be sure, major food companies are aware of these greenhouse gas impacts and are starting to address them, beginning with their direct operations. A far smaller number are also pursuing mitigation measures in their agricultural supply chains, such as curbing excessive fertilizer use, improving management of livestock, and reducing forest conversion/deforestation impacts.
We use cookies on this site to enhance your