Evaluating the absolute eco-efficiency of food products: A case study of rice in Pakistan

Abstract

Eco-efficiency is a quantitative management tool that has widely been used to evaluate the life cycle impacts of a product system along with its value to the stakeholders. However, the existing eco-efficiency assessment approaches are relative in nature and unable to address the growing environmental challenges. Therefore, this study is aimed at developing a novel approach using absolute eco-efficiency based on the absolute sustainability concept which attempts to align the environmental impacts with the Earth's carrying capacity. An absolute eco-efficiency framework is developed based on the planetary boundary-based life cycle assessment and calorific intake considering the healthy diet reference. A case study from food sector is considered because food production is already putting enormous pressure on ecosystems. All the analyzed scenarios of rice production in Pakistan could not meet the reference eco-efficiency targets for most of the environmental impact categories. Therefore, it was inferred that the consumption and production of rice in Pakistan is contributing to an increase in the triple planetary crisis, viz., global warming, biodiversity loss, and unsustainable use of one of the scarce resources. Recommendations were made to reduce the environmental impacts of rice within limits as well as to analyze the other food products and management practices to promote the sustainable foods and to avoid the unnecessary exploitation of resources.