Food consumption patterns and their influence on climate change - Greenhouse gas emissions in the life-cycle of tomatoes and carrots consumed in Sweden

Results from an assessment of greenhouse gas emissions during the life-cycl e of the carrots and tomatoes consumed in Sweden are presented and discusse d. The life-cycle was divided into storage, transportation from producer to retailer, farm production, and the production and transportation of fertil izers. Emissions from carrots were lowest when produced within or close to Sweden, whilst contrary results were obtained for tomatoes. For carrots, em issions during storage and transportation dominated. In the lifecycle of to matoes, emissions were dominated by those from the combustion of the fuel r equired for heating greenhouses. The total emissions of greenhouse gases fr om present consumption patterns for fresh vegetables, in Sweden, were estim ated and compared to an assumed Permissible Environmental Space for food co nsumption. The conclusion drawn is that present patterns of consumption and production for fresh vegetables are unlikely to be sustainable.