A BIG EMITTER?


Total GHG emissions from agri-food systems

in CO2eq per year (2019)


The broader agri-food system is a significant contributor to climate change and it is also one of the economic sectors most vulnerable to its impacts. Greenhouse gas emissions generated throughout the agri-food system supply chains account for up to one-third of all anthropogenic emissions worldwide. Taking this broader perspective on the food system opens up opportunities to develop mitigation strategies that cover the entire system.


Source: F. N. Tubiello et al (2022) Pre- and post-production processes increasingly dominate greenhouse gas emissions from agri-food systems



±%

Global emissions are generated by the broader agri-food system


Farm Gate


%

of emissions come primarily from crop and livestock production activities that occur within the farm gate

Land Use


%

of emissions come from the conversion of natural ecosystems to agriculture, such as deforestation and peatland degradation

Pre- and post- production


%

of emissions come from processes like energy use in fertilizer manufacturing, food processing, packaging, transport, retail, household consumption, and waste disposal

During the study period of 1990 to 2020, there was a total increase of 17% in agri-food system emissions. However, since approximately 2006, these emissions have remained relatively stable (see chart below). This overall trend was mainly influenced by a twofold rise in emissions from pre- and post-production processes, while land use emissions experienced a 25% decrease, and emissions at the farm gate only increased by 9%.