FOOD

Food production accounts for about 26% of global CO2e emissions
(one recent study puts the number as high as 34%).

Livestock production makes up the majority of food emissions, accounting for 15% of total global emissions. Beef and cow dairy account for more than 60% of this, or about 9% of global emissions. As far as food goes, for the average person there is nothing you can do that is more impactful than reducing the amount of beef and dairy that you consume. 

Beef

Beef has by far the highest total CO2e and the highest CO2e per kg of food. Beef produces 41% of all emissions from livestock (6% of global emissions). 

Here’s the math for beef:

  • Each kg of beef produces about 100 kg CO2e.

  • Canadians on average eat about 25 kg of beef per year (2015). 

  • = the average Canadian emits 2500 kg CO2e per year by eating beef. 

Dairy

Cow dairy produces about 20% of all emissions from livestock (3% of global emissions). 

Example #1 (milk):

  • Each liter of milk produces about 3 kg of CO2e.

  • British Columbians on average drink about 64 liters of milk per year. 

= the average British Columbian emits 192 kg CO2e per year by drinking milk. 

Example #2 (cheese):

  • Each kg of cheese produces 24 kg CO2e.

  • Canadians on average eat about 13.5 kg of cheese per year. 

= the average Canadian produces 324 kg CO2e per year by eating cheese. 

Pork and Chicken

Pork produces 9% of all emissions from livestock (about 1.5% of global emissions). 

Chicken (for meat and eggs) produces 8% of all emissions from livestock (about 1.2% of global emissions). 

Pork:

  • Each kg of pork produces 12 kg CO2e. 

  • Canadians on average eat about 23 kg of pork per year (2015). 

= the average Canadian produces 276 kg CO2e per year by consuming pork. 

Chicken:

  • Each kg of chicken produces about 10 kg CO2e. 

  • Canadians on average eat about 39 kg of chicken per year (2015). 

= the average Canadian produces 390 kg CO2e per year by eating chicken. 

Should I prioritize local food?

From a CO2e perspective, the answer is no. Transportation accounts for a tiny fraction of the CO2e emissions of almost all foods, producing about 5% of the total food emissions. It is far more important to reduce or eliminate high CO2e foods, especially beef and dairy. 

Local food does provide other notable advantages such as supporting your local economy and building local food security (food that is not reliant on international markets and systems). The best diet would be one that is low in high CO2e foods that are also produced as locally as possible.