The Future of Food Chains

While real estate can contribute to efficiencies made through the supply chain, where it can potentially be more impactful is enabling environments that facilitate dietary innovation and change. and more about facilitating efficient dietary change without impacting consumer welfare. While supply chain improvements and increased domestic production will not only minimise transport emissions but have the impact to significantly reduce waste.

On average over 83% of total food chain emissions are derived from change of land use, methane emissions associated with the production and farm processes and food waste, a result of supply chain failure. Foods that require extensive inputs and space, often meat, have the highest impact on the environment. Although significant emphasis is often placed on food miles, sustainability gains and efficiencies within global shipping have meant the relative impact of transport is relatively low, averaging 9.6% across key food groups.

GHG EMISSIONS PER KILOGRAM PER FOOD TYPE (CO2 EQ. KG)

MEAT

FISH

OILS & OTHER

DAIRY & EGGS

9.6% AVERAGE FOOD CHAIN IMPACT

FRUIT & VEGETABLES

NUTS

GRAIN

VEGAN ALTERNATIVE

-5

0 5

10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45

LAND USE / LOSS TRANSPORT IMPACT

FARMING IMPACT RETAIL IMPACT

ANIMAL FEED INPUTS PACKAGING IMPACT

FOOD PROCESSING IMPACT

WASTE IMPACT

Source: Our World in Data, 2022

25 FUTURE OF FOOD CHAIN |