Food production emissions consist mainly of CO₂, N₂O, and CH₄, which result primarily from agricultural practices.2 Production accounts for 68% of food emissions, while transportation accounts for 5%. Food accounts for 10-30% of a household's carbon footprint, typically a higher portion in lower-income households.household has a carbon footprint of 48 metric tons (t) CO₂e/yr. See the Center for Sustainable Systems ' Greenhouse Gases Factsheet'for more information on GWP. These differences are accounted for by the global warming potential (GWP) of each gas, resulting in a carbon footprint in units of mass of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO₂e). Throughout a product’s lifetime, or lifecycle, GHGs may be emitted, such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O), each with a greater or lesser ability to trap heat in the atmosphere. “A carbon footprint is the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused directly and indirectly by an individual, organization, event or product.” 1 It is calculated by summing the emissions resulting from every stage of a product or service’s lifetime (material production, manufacturing, use, and end-of-life).
