A new study published in the
Journal of Cleaner Production presents a harmonised top-down method for calculating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the food chain in ten European Economic Area (EEA) countries. The approach allows for comparison of Scope 1 and 2 emissions across countries and sectors, providing detailed insights into the food system's climate impact.
The countries analysed—Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, and Spain—account for 74% of the population and 76% of the GDP of the EU27 plus Norway. Results from 2019 show that food chain emissions represented between 10% and 24% of total national emissions, with Lithuania showing the highest proportion. Scope 1 emissions, including direct fuel combustion and fugitive emissions, contributed 84% of total food-related GHG emissions, while Scope 2 emissions varied widely depending on the carbon intensity of the national electricity grid.
Agriculture and fishing were responsible for 58% of food chain emissions, primarily due to methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), rather than carbon dioxide (CO2). Manufacturing was the second largest sector, followed by household activities such as cooking and refrigeration. Warehousing accounted for only 0.5% of total food-related emissions.
Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) emissions were significant in the retail sector, accounting for 50% of its Scope 1 emissions. While HFCs contributed just 5% to total food chain emissions, the study highlighted their concentration in specific sectors. For example, HFCs made up 66% of retail emissions in Austria and Lithuania, and 61% in Italy.
Country-level differences were influenced by both energy use and emissions factors. Lithuania had the highest per capita food chain emissions (2.44 tCO2e), driven almost entirely by fossil fuels. Poland’s emissions were elevated by a high-carbon electricity grid, while Norway, France, and Lithuania had low Scope 2 emissions due to cleaner energy sources such as hydro and nuclear power.
“This methodology allows us to compare food chain emissions at a sectoral level across countries using consistent data,” said Alan Foster, lead author of the study. “It helps identify national hotspots and supports the design of targeted mitigation strategies.”
