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Sustainable Development in the Agri-Food Sector in Terms of the Carbon Footprint: A Review

Author

Listed:
  • Magdalena Karwacka

    (Faculty of Food Sciences, Department of Food Engineering and Process Management, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, SGGW, 02-787 Warszawa, Poland)

  • Agnieszka Ciurzyńska

    (Faculty of Food Sciences, Department of Food Engineering and Process Management, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, SGGW, 02-787 Warszawa, Poland)

  • Andrzej Lenart

    (Faculty of Food Sciences, Department of Food Engineering and Process Management, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, SGGW, 02-787 Warszawa, Poland)

  • Monika Janowicz

    (Faculty of Food Sciences, Department of Food Engineering and Process Management, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, SGGW, 02-787 Warszawa, Poland)

Abstract

The concept of sustainable development is increasingly important in the agri-food sector and global economy. International activities are undertaken to improve the efficiency of industry by reducing its negative impact on the environment. To help determine harmful human activity, the environmental footprints of products and services are calculated using the LCA (life cycle assessment) method. The purpose of this article was to explain topics of sustainable development and environmental footprints, especially the carbon footprint in the agri-food sector, based on the latest literature. The agri-food industry consumes around 30% of global energy demand. It is also a source of emissions of a significant part of greenhouse gases released into the environment. The carbon footprint of food products is determined by many factors associated with their production. Food of animal origin is more harmful and has higher carbon footprints than plant-based products. GHG emission reduction is possible due to the use of renewable energy sources and the abandonment of the use of artificial fertilizers and plant protection products.

Suggested Citation

  • Magdalena Karwacka & Agnieszka Ciurzyńska & Andrzej Lenart & Monika Janowicz, 2020. "Sustainable Development in the Agri-Food Sector in Terms of the Carbon Footprint: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-17, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:16:p:6463-:d:397348
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    2. Francesco Boenzi & Salvatore Digiesi & Francesco Facchini & Bartolomeo Silvestri, 2022. "Life Cycle Assessment in the Agri-Food Supply Chain: Fresh Versus Semi-Finished Based Production Process," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-20, October.
    3. Kasper Górny & Natalia Idaszewska & Zuzanna Sydow & Krzysztof Bieńczak, 2021. "Modelling the Carbon Footprint of Various Fruit and Vegetable Products Based on a Company’s Internal Transport Data," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-15, July.
    4. Ana Clara Borrego & Rute Abreu & Francisco Alegria Carreira & Filipe Caetano & Ana Lúcia Vasconcelos, 2023. "Environmental Taxation on the Agri-Food Sector and the Farm to Fork Strategy: The Portuguese Case," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-18, August.
    5. Magdalena Wróbel-Jędrzejewska & Joanna Markowska & Agata Bieńczak & Paweł Woźniak & Łukasz Ignasiak & Elżbieta Polak & Katarzyna Kozłowicz & Renata Różyło, 2021. "Carbon Footprint in Vegeburger Production Technology Using a Prototype Forming and Breading Device," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-18, August.
    6. Philippos Karipidis & Sotiria Karypidou, 2021. "Factors that Impact Farmers’ Organic Conversion Decisions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-24, April.

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