Abstract
This study will review the environmental implications of dynamic policy objectives and instruments outlined in the European Union 7th Framework Programme (EU-FP7) Project DYNAmic policy MIXes for absolute decoupling of EU resource use from economic growth (DYNAMIX) to address reductions in food consumption, food waste and a change in waste handling systems. The environmental implications of reductions in protein intake, food waste reductions, food waste management and donations are addressed using a life cycle approach to find the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, land use and water consumption. Data are provided from the Statistics Division of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAOSTAT) food balance sheets for the European Union (EU) with a base year of 2010 and life cycle inventory (LCI) data from a meta-study of available GHG, land use and water consumption data for major food products. The implications are reviewed using a number of scenarios for the years 2030 and 2050 assuming policy instruments are fully effective. Results indicate that reductions in animal-based protein consumption significantly reduce environmental impacts, followed thereafter by reductions in food waste (assuming this also reduces food consumption). Despite the positive implications the policy mixes may have for targets for decoupling, they are not enough to meet GHG emissions targets for the EU outlined in the DYNAMIX project, although land and water use have no significant change compared to 2010 levels.
Highlights
Food production and consumption have been found to account for roughly 20%–30% of anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions [1,2,3]
This study will review the environmental implications of possible changes in dietary choices and food waste handling in the European Union based on dynamic policy objectives, with corresponding figures for reduced consumption of protein and reduced wastes, outlined in the EU-FP7 Project DYNAMIX—DYNAmic policy MIXes for absolute decoupling of EU resource use from economic growth [12,13]
The results indicated that food consumption accounts for more than 100% of land used for agricultural production in the EU; this is due to imports of foods and excludes a balance of imports and exports
Summary
Food production and consumption have been found to account for roughly 20%–30% of anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions [1,2,3]. Many authors have suggested the necessity for sustainable solutions to food production and waste handling in the future to reduce environmental impacts and resource consumption while feeding the growing population [11]. This study will review the environmental implications of possible changes in dietary choices and food waste handling in the European Union based on dynamic policy objectives, with corresponding figures for reduced consumption of protein and reduced wastes, outlined in the EU-FP7 Project DYNAMIX—DYNAmic policy MIXes for absolute decoupling of EU resource use from economic growth [12,13]. DDeessppitietetthhee llaarrggee rreedduuccttiioonnss,, ffuurrtthheerr iimmpprroovveemmeenntsts wwiillll nneeeedd ttoo bbee mmaaddee iinn tthhee ffoooodd pprroodduuccttiioonn,, ccoonnssuummppttiioonn aanndd wwaassttee mmaannaaggeemmeenntt sseeccttoorrss aass ttaarrggeettss ffoorr ddeeccoouupplliinngg ooff eennvviirroonnmmeennttaall iimmppaaccttss mmaayy bbee ddiiffffiiccuulltt ttoo aacchhiieevvee,, aalltthhoouugghh rreessoouurrccee ccoonnssuummppttiioonn hhaass bbeeeennsshhoowwnnttoorreemmaaiinnssttaabbllee..
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