Suspect 4. Food & Agriculture
The food system currently accounts for around 30% of the world’s total consumption of energy.
This is mainly still produced using fossil fuels, generating greenhouse gas emissions.
Up to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions are associated with food that is not consumed
About one-third of all food grown in the world is wasted, with 13% wasted between the harvest and retail stages, and 17% in households and in the food service and retail sectors.
Systems to produce, package and distribute food generate a third of greenhouse gas emissions and cause 80% of biodiversity loss
Without intervention, food system emissions will likely increase by up to 40 per cent by 2050, given rising demand from population, more income and dietary changes.
Global livestock generates around 14.5% of our greenhouse gas emissions
Cattle are responsible for 65% of those emissions, largely as methane, due to their digestion which leads to them emit methane in their manure, burps and farts.
The unsustainable use of land, soil, water and energy for food contributes to greenhouse gas emissions that cause rising temperatures.
Higher temperatures in turn affect resources to produce food. Under higher temperatures, declines in successful crops are likely, quality is affected and waste increases.
