Publications

Food policies and climate: a literature review

25 February 2019 - Climate Report - By : Claudine FOUCHEROT / Valentin BELLASSEN / Lucile ROGISSART

Food consumption is responsible for around 28% of total greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions (see I4CE study on the issue)

Which dietary practices have the largest potential for reducing food-related GHG emissions? Is it possible to reduce food-related emissions while also targeting public health and environmental goals such as the preservation of soils or water quality? Which public policies could be implemented to push consumers towards less GHG intensive diets?

In the present study, I4CE summarizes the answers academic literature can bring to these questions.

It appears that reducing the intake of animal products has a major mitigation potential, as these products are responsible for almost two thirds of total food-related emissions. Besides, dividing by two the current levels of food waste could enable to reduce food-related emissions by 5%. The origin or the seasonality of products have a limited impact comparatively to total food GHG emissions.

 

World food GHG emissions

Food policies and climate: a literature review Download
I4CE Contacts
Claudine FOUCHEROT
Claudine FOUCHEROT
Program Director – Agriculture and Forestry Email
Lucile ROGISSART
Lucile ROGISSART
Project Manager – Agriculture and food and Public finance Email
To learn more
  • 03/03/2023 Foreword of the week
    World Bank’s reform: almost a new pilot onboard

    After the sudden resignation of David Malpass, the World Bank’s Trump-appointed President, mid-February, Washington surprised the world again last Thursday, with the nomination of Ajay Banga, long-time Mastercard CEO, as his potential successor. Not only was the timing very rapid, but the controversial profile of the nominee also generated some sense of puzzlement. His limited […]

  • 03/01/2023
    Supporting financial institutions in developing countries in their alignment journey with climate goals

    This report co-written with NewClimate provides practical guidance for international financial institutions to support financial institutions’ alignment with the Paris Agreement goals, and to more broadly contribute to transforming local financial systems. This guidance is developed around three pillars: a harmonised alignment assessment; the alignment of financial intermediaries; and the alignment of financial systems at the national level.

  • 02/17/2023 Foreword of the week
    Climate transition plans for banks: European legislators on a razor’s edge

    The proposal for mandatory climate transition plans for banks is slowly making its way through the regulatory debate. Proposed by the European Commission and confirmed by the EU Council, this proposal has now also been taken up by the European Parliament. This obligation could be a game-changer for financial risk management and the alignment of financial flows with the transition to a low-carbon economy. It could lead banks to limit their activities in climate-damaging activities, adjust their business models, review their strategies as well as their governance and risk management procedures.

See all publications
Press contact Amélie FRITZ Head of Communication and press relations Email
Subscribe to our mailing list :
I register !
Subscribe to our newsletter
Once a week, receive all the information on climate economics
I register !
Fermer