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Future warming from global food consumption

Author

Listed:
  • Catherine C. Ivanovich

    (Columbia University
    Environmental Defense Fund)

  • Tianyi Sun

    (Environmental Defense Fund)

  • Doria R. Gordon

    (Environmental Defense Fund
    University of Florida)

  • Ilissa B. Ocko

    (Environmental Defense Fund)

Abstract

Food consumption is a major source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and evaluating its future warming impact is crucial for guiding climate mitigation action. However, the lack of granularity in reporting food item emissions and the widespread use of oversimplified metrics such as CO2 equivalents have complicated interpretation. We resolve these challenges by developing a global food consumption GHG emissions inventory separated by individual gas species and employing a reduced-complexity climate model, evaluating the associated future warming contribution and potential benefits from certain mitigation measures. We find that global food consumption alone could add nearly 1 °C to warming by 2100. Seventy five percent of this warming is driven by foods that are high sources of methane (ruminant meat, dairy and rice). However, over 55% of anticipated warming can be avoided from simultaneous improvements to production practices, the universal adoption of a healthy diet and consumer- and retail-level food waste reductions.

Suggested Citation

  • Catherine C. Ivanovich & Tianyi Sun & Doria R. Gordon & Ilissa B. Ocko, 2023. "Future warming from global food consumption," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 13(3), pages 297-302, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcli:v:13:y:2023:i:3:d:10.1038_s41558-023-01605-8
    DOI: 10.1038/s41558-023-01605-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Bonnet, Céline & Coinon, Marine, 2024. "Environmental co-benefits of health policies to reduce meat consumption: A narrative review," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    2. Bouyssou, Clara G. & Jensen, Jørgen Dejgård & Yu, Wusheng, 2024. "Food for thought: A meta-analysis of animal food demand elasticities across world regions," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 122(C).
    3. Nelė Jurkėnaitė, 2023. "Analysis of the Nexus between Structural and Climate Changes in EU Pig Farming," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-19, September.

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