WEF Study Highlights Environmental Impact of Urban Agriculture
Source: dairynews.today
A recent study funded by the World Economic Forum (WEF) suggests that homegrown food production may contribute significantly to carbon emissions, raising concerns over its environmental impact.
The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan and published in Nature Cities, analyzed various urban agriculture sites worldwide to assess their carbon footprint. The findings indicate that food grown in individual city gardens generates nearly five times the carbon emissions per portion compared to traditional farming operations.
Researchers attributed the higher emissions to infrastructure used in urban agriculture, such as raised beds, garden sheds, and pathways. According to lead author Jake Hawes, "The most significant contributor to carbon emissions on the urban agriculture sites we studied was the infrastructure used to grow the food."
The study examined 73 urban farming locations across Europe, the United States, and the United Kingdom, categorizing them into three groups: individual or family gardens, collective gardens such as community projects, and larger commercial urban farms. The life cycle assessment considered infrastructure, irrigation, and other resource inputs.
On average, the study found that a serving of food from conventional farms emits approximately 0.07 kilograms of CO2, while urban gardens generate 0.34 kilograms per portion. Additionally, researchers noted that poorly managed compost and synthetic inputs used in urban agriculture could contribute further to emissions.
While some environmental advocates promote urban farming as a sustainable alternative to industrial agriculture, the study suggests that traditional farming practices may have a lower carbon footprint. Researchers found that conventionally grown fruit, for example, was 8.6 times more "eco-friendly" than fruit produced in urban settings.
The findings come as governments worldwide work toward reducing carbon emissions in line with global climate goals. WEF has emphasized the need for further research and policy considerations regarding sustainable food production practices.
Researchers attributed the higher emissions to infrastructure used in urban agriculture, such as raised beds, garden sheds, and pathways. According to lead author Jake Hawes, "The most significant contributor to carbon emissions on the urban agriculture sites we studied was the infrastructure used to grow the food."
The study examined 73 urban farming locations across Europe, the United States, and the United Kingdom, categorizing them into three groups: individual or family gardens, collective gardens such as community projects, and larger commercial urban farms. The life cycle assessment considered infrastructure, irrigation, and other resource inputs.
On average, the study found that a serving of food from conventional farms emits approximately 0.07 kilograms of CO2, while urban gardens generate 0.34 kilograms per portion. Additionally, researchers noted that poorly managed compost and synthetic inputs used in urban agriculture could contribute further to emissions.
While some environmental advocates promote urban farming as a sustainable alternative to industrial agriculture, the study suggests that traditional farming practices may have a lower carbon footprint. Researchers found that conventionally grown fruit, for example, was 8.6 times more "eco-friendly" than fruit produced in urban settings.
The findings come as governments worldwide work toward reducing carbon emissions in line with global climate goals. WEF has emphasized the need for further research and policy considerations regarding sustainable food production practices.
