The mode of transportation heavily impacts the emissions of food miles. Emissions per type of transportation, in kg CO2 equivalent per one tonne of product, moved over 1 km (0,6 miles).
Water (container): 0.019
Water (bulk): 0.004
Rail: 0.037
Road (rigid, for example lorry’s): 0.303
Road (articulated): 0.107
Air transport, shorter than
2230 miles: 1.762
Air transport, longer than
2230 miles: 0.733
Source: Tom Ysewijn,’ Brengen minder voedselkilometers ons dichter bij duurzame consumptie?’, Mondiaal Nieuws (2019).
Jurgen Elenbaas Wouter Noordijk
The extent to which food is ‘local’, is often expressed in ‘food mileage’ – local by proximity. It is one piece of the complex puzzle of a sustainable food system. Many scientists conclude eating less meat is the most effective way of reducing our carbon footprint. These graphs may lead to a more nuanced understanding of ‘local food’. Local does not necessarily mean better. Yet it still contributes a considerable amount of greenhouse gas emissions, a contribution that is often not necessary.
local food in numbers
3 min
FACTS & FIGURES
Bananas
37,5%
Cheese
4,7%
Potatoes
30%
Wheat and rye (Bread)
7,1%
0,5%
Beef herds
CO2 equivalent caused by transportation. Percentage of total emissions of life cycle:
Source: Poore, J. and Nemecek, T., ‘Reducing food’s environmental impacts through producers and consumers; in: Science, 360 (2018), 987-992
in numbers
local food
20% omnivorous: 73 miles
80% omnivorous: 340 miles
Grazing land
Average US diet: 485 miles
20% omnivirous diet: 68 miles
80% omnivorous: 199 miles
Perennial cropland
Average US diet: 269 miles
20% omnivorous: 222 miles
80% omnivorous: 251 miles
cultivated cropland
Average US diet 299 miles
The average amount food miles that would be needed to feed all metropolitan areas in the USA, in a hypothetical closed food system that prioritizes local food. Subdivided by foods of different type of land use and diet.
Source: Julie E. Kurtz, et al., ‘Mapping U.S. Food System Localization potential: the impact of diet on foodsheds’, in: Environmental science & Technology 54-19 (2020).
20% omnivorous diet: 88%
80% omnivorous diet: 36%
Grazing land
Average US diet: 26%
20% omnivorous diet: 90%
80% omnivorous: 49%
Perennial cropland
Average US diet: 39%
Percentage of US metropolitan areas that could meet its need derived from three different lands within 155 miles, divided by diet:
20% omnivorous: 52%
80% omnivorous: 47%
cultivated cropland
Average US diet: 35%
A hamburger at the Farm on Adderley (restaurant NYC) represents approximately 375 food miles.
Source: The Farm on Adderley).
A journalist found that hamburgers in different fast food joints in Atlanta could represent 1109 miles (most local burger) or 4421 miles (least local burger).
Source: Schneider-Green, E., ‘Barn to burn: how many miles do the ingredients in your burger travel?’, Atlanta magazine (2014).
A Big Mac in London represents on average 8050 miles.
Source: CDA, ‘Where does your big mac come from’ (2018).
In 2012 Canada: transportation caused 3,3 trillion kg CO2 equivalent in total. 25% was fruit and vegetables. Food traveled 38 trillion miles in total.
Source: Kissinger, M., ‘International trade related food miles - The case of Canada’, in; Food Policy 37 (2012), 171-178. Carbon dioxide equivalent or CO2e means the number of metric tons of CO2 emissions with the same global warming potential as one metric ton of another greenhouse gas, and is calculated using Equation A-1 in 40 CFR Part 98.
In 2018 European Union: 6% of CO2 equivalents in the food web is caused by transportation, contributing 27 trillion kg CO2 equivalent in total.
Source: Sandström, V. et al. ‘The role of trade in the greenhouse gas footprints of EU diets’, Global Food Security, 19 (2018), 48-55.
Average food product for American households travels 4200 miles through its production chain. In 2008 transportation accounted for 5% of all food emissions by Ame can households, still contributing in total 46 trillion CO2 equivalent.
Source: Weber, C. L. and Matthews, H. S.. ‘Food-miles and the relative climate impacts of food choices in the United States’, in: Environmental Science & Technology (2008).
Water (container): 0.019
Water (bulk): 0.004
Rail: 0.037
Road (rigid, for example lorry’s): 0.303
Road (articulated): 0.107
Air transport, shorter than
2230 miles: 1.762
Air transport, longer than
2230 miles: 0.733
The mode of transportation heavily impacts the emissions of food miles. Emissions per type of transportation, in kg CO2 equivalent per one tonne of product, moved over 1 km (0,6 miles).
Source: Tom Ysewijn,’ Brengen minder voedselkilometers ons dichter bij duurzame consumptie?’, Mondiaal Nieuws (2019).
Source: Julie E. Kurtz, et al., ‘Mapping U.S. Food System Localization potential: the impact of diet on foodsheds’, in: Environmental science & Technology 54-19 (2020).
20% omnivorous diet: 88%
80% omnivorous diet: 36%
Grazing land
Average US diet: 26%
20% omnivorous diet: 90%
80% omnivorous: 49%
Perennial cropland
Average US diet: 39%
Percentage of US metropolitan areas that could meet its need derived from three different lands within 155 miles, divided by diet:
20% omnivorous: 52%
80% omnivorous: 47%
cultivated cropland
Average US diet: 35%
20% omnivorous: 73 miles
80% omnivorous: 340 miles
Grazing land
Average US diet: 485 miles
20% omnivirous diet: 68 miles
80% omnivorous: 199 miles
Perennial cropland
Average US diet: 269 miles
20% omnivorous: 222 miles
80% omnivorous: 251 miles
cultivated cropland
Average US diet 299 miles
The average amount food miles that would be needed to feed all metropolitan areas in the USA, in a hypothetical closed food system that prioritizes local food. Subdivided by foods of different type of land use and diet.
Source: The Farm on Adderley).
A hamburger at the Farm on Adderley (restaurant NYC) represents approximately 375 food miles.
A journalist found that hamburgers in different fast food joints in Atlanta could represent 1109 miles (most local burger) or 4421 miles (least local burger).
Source: Schneider-Green, E., ‘Barn to burn: how many miles do the ingredients in your burger travel?’, Atlanta magazine (2014).
A Big Mac in London represents on average 8050 miles.
Source: CDA, ‘Where does your big mac come from’ (2018).
In 2012 Canada: transportation caused 3,3 trillion kg CO2 equivalent in total. 25% was fruit and vegetables. Food traveled 38 trillion miles in total.
Source: Kissinger, M., ‘International trade related food miles - The case of Canada’, in; Food Policy 37 (2012), 171-178. Carbon dioxide equivalent or CO2e means the number of metric tons of CO2 emissions with the same global warming potential as one metric ton of another greenhouse gas, and is calculated using Equation A-1 in 40 CFR Part 98.
In 2018 European Union: 6% of CO2 equivalents in the food web is caused by transportation, contributing 27 trillion kg CO2 equivalent in total.
Source: Sandström, V. et al. ‘The role of trade in the greenhouse gas footprints of EU diets’, Global Food Security, 19 (2018), 48-55.
Average food product for American households travels 4200 miles through its production chain. In 2008 transportation accounted for 5% of all food emissions by Ame can households, still contributing in total 46 trillion CO2 equivalent.
Source: Weber, C. L. and Matthews, H. S.. ‘Food-miles and the relative climate impacts of food choices in the United States’, in: Environmental Science & Technology (2008).
Bananas
37,5%
Cheese
4,7%
Potatoes
30%
Wheat and rye (Bread)
7,1%
0,5%
Beef herds
CO2 equivalent caused by transportation. Percentage of total emissions of life cycle:
Source: Poore, J. and Nemecek, T., ‘Reducing food’s environmental impacts through producers and consumers; in: Science, 360 (2018), 987-992
Jurgen Elenbaas Wouter Noordijk
The extent to which food is ‘local’, is often expressed in ‘food mileage’ – local by proximity. It is one piece of the complex puzzle of a sustainable food system. Many scientists conclude eating less meat is the most effective way of reducing our carbon footprint. These graphs may lead to a more nuanced understanding of ‘local food’. Local does not necessarily mean better. Yet it still contributes a considerable amount of greenhouse gas emissions, a contribution that is often not necessary.
in numbers
local food
3 min