The carbon footprint of food is a key challenge for companies in regulated markets, but it is also a great opportunity to optimize processes and improve competitiveness.
But do we really know how much our daily choices impact greenhouse gas emissions?
From cultivation to transportation and waste, every food product leaves its mark on the planet.
The collection and management of ESG data are crucial for complying with regulations such as ISO 14067, PAS 2050, and CSRD, ensuring access to regulated markets and mitigating financial and operational risks.
How can we measure and reduce the carbon footprint of what we eat?
We explain which factors influence these emissions and what we can do to reduce them easily and effectively.
The carbon footprint of food is the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted throughout its lifecycle.
This includes production, transportation, storage, consumption, and waste.
It is important not to confuse the product's carbon footprint with the corporate carbon footprint.
The first measures the emissions of a specific food product, while the second focuses on the overall impact of a company.
Some foods generate more emissions than others, makes sense, right?
For example, beef has a high carbon footprint due to intensive livestock farming, while legumes and vegetables have a much lower impact.
Each stage in a product's lifecycle generates ESG information that is essential for risk management, cost optimization, and compliance with regulations such as CSRD, SBTi, and ISO.
Accurately measuring these metrics ensures access to regulated markets and reduces financial risks for companies.
Compliance with standards such as ISO 14067, PAS 2050, and CSRD not only helps avoid penalties, but it is also key to ensuring operational viability, access to regulated markets, and sustainable financing sources.
Measuring ESG metrics is not only mandatory for regulatory compliance, but it also improves operational efficiency and facilitates access to strategic markets.
Companies with verifiable ESG metrics meet the requirements of major distributors and international regulations, ensuring their continuity in the supply chain.
Efficient carbon footprint management allows companies to identify inefficiencies in the supply chain and optimize resource use, lowering operational costs.
A company that effectively manages its carbon metrics and regulatory compliance enhances its reputation and gains access to new markets.
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There are several ways to calculate the carbon footprint of a food product:
To ensure accurate calculations, you must include both direct and indirect emissions.
This means considering internal manufacturing processes, as well as the emissions generated by transportation or by the product when used.
Additionally, consider the distances traveled and the means of transport and logistics used.
Finally, the type of production is crucial. For example, industrial livestock farming has a much greater impact than organic farming.
Today, we have technological solutions like Dcycle, which make carbon footprint calculation easier.
This way, you can easily identify in any stage of your product's lifecycle where you should focus on reducing emissions.
How to apply these solutions in the food industry? The key is to measure, analyze, and act.
Agricultural decisions impact not just yield but also the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere.
Crop type, rotation, and land use all influence the soil's ability to store or emit carbon.
Techniques like cover cropping or agroforestry can actually help increase carbon sequestration in the soil.
Monoculture farming, on the other hand, depletes soil health, increases erosion, and relies heavily on synthetic fertilizers, which boost emissions.
In contrast, crop rotation and soil cover improve fertility and reduce dependence on external inputs.
Adopting regenerative agriculture practices is one of the most effective ways to cut emissions while improving long-term soil productivity.
Synthetic fertilizers are responsible for significant indirect emissions, from their production to field application.
They also release nitrous oxide (N₂O), a greenhouse gas far more potent than CO₂.
Switching to compost, treated manure, or biofertilizers reduces these emissions and improves soil water retention and structure.
It also lowers long-term operational costs and adds value through improved crop quality and sustainability credentials.
This shift is not only good for the environment, it’s a smart business move.
A large part of a food product’s carbon footprint comes from the supply chain, often beyond a company's direct control.
Implementing traceability systems allows companies to track emissions from farm to fork, making ESG reporting more accurate.
Requesting ESG data from suppliers is no longer optional, it's essential to comply with CSRD, ISO 14067, and stay competitive in regulated markets.
This includes information on energy use, farming methods, logistics, and packaging.
Building a network of ESG-compliant suppliers enhances operational resilience, reduces exposure to regulatory risks, and boosts brand reputation.
Top-performing companies don’t just demand, they support.
Helping suppliers through training, technology, and financial tools empowers them to cut their own emissions and meet ESG standards.
This collaboration improves transparency and fosters a more efficient, aligned value chain.
It also builds long-term partnerships based on shared sustainability goals.
Businesses that integrate suppliers into their ESG strategy create wider environmental impact and unlock advantages like market access, cost reduction, and stronger stakeholder trust.
Measuring the carbon footprint of food is a key requirement in regulated markets and an opportunity to optimize processes, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen a company’s competitive position.
Companies that integrate ESG metrics early will optimize access to financing, reduce regulatory risks, and solidify their market position.
More and more investors and markets demand transparency in ESG metrics, forcing companies to measure and report their impact to remain competitive.
Managing ESG metrics allows businesses to optimize resources, enhance competitiveness, and ensure compliance with key regulations necessary for market access.
Companies that implement ESG metrics within their operational strengthen their compliance, avoid penalties, secure access to regulated markets, and reduce financial risks.
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For most food businesses, the supply chain is where a large portion of emissions occurs, especially outside their direct control.
From farms to distribution centers, the logistics of food movement, how it’s stored, transported, and handled, has a massive carbon impact.
That’s why collaborating with suppliers and optimizing logistics processes is key to reducing the overall footprint.
Transportation emissions can be significantly lowered by improving logistics.
This includes switching to electric or hybrid vehicles, optimizing delivery routes, and minimizing cold-chain storage requirements. Cold storage, especially when powered by non-renewable energy, can dramatically raise a product’s carbon footprint.
Companies that invest in energy-efficient warehouses and cleaner transport fleets gain a clear advantage in reducing emissions.
Beyond logistics, supplier collaboration is critical. To meet regulations like CSRD or ISO 14067, companies must collect ESG data from every stage of the supply chain.
This means establishing traceability systems and asking partners to report on their energy use, waste practices, and packaging materials.
Businesses that do this not only gain visibility into their footprint but also build trust with customers and regulators.
More importantly, top-performing companies go a step further.
They support their suppliers by offering training, digital tools, and financial incentives to help them implement low-carbon practices.
This support strengthens the entire value chain and ensures that sustainability goals are achieved collaboratively, not in isolation.
Reducing the food sector’s carbon footprint isn’t just about internal improvements. It’s about building a low-carbon ecosystem that extends from the field to the fork, powered by data, cooperation, and strategic investment.
How can food sector companies reduce their carbon footprint? Here are key strategies:
Without data, no improvement is possible.
The first step is to calculate the carbon footprint using solutions like Dcycle, which facilitate emissions analysis and identify critical areas.
Additionally, optimizing the supply chain and reducing waste improves operational efficiency and cost savings.
To calculate the carbon footprint of a food product, it is necessary to analyze its entire life cycle: production, transportation, storage, consumption, and waste.
There are methodologies such as:
These allow for an accurate calculation of emissions.
Digital solutions like Dcycle make it easier to collect data and identify areas for improvement.
Animal-based foods usually have the highest carbon footprint.
On the other hand, legumes, fruits, and vegetables have a lower footprint, especially when they are seasonal and locally produced.
There are several certifications that validate efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of food. Some of the most recognized are:
These certifications not only help with regulatory compliance, but also add brand value and credibility to consumers.
Efficient ESG metric management not only reduces regulatory risks, but also improves operational profitability and facilitates access to strategic financing.
Optimizing energy use, reducing waste, and improving the supply chain not only lowers environmental impact but also reduces operating costs.
With solutions like Dcycle, companies can measure, manage, and reduce their carbon footprint without requiring large initial investments.
Consumers play a key role. Their buying decisions influence the demand for products with lower environmental impact.
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Carbon footprint calculation analyzes all emissions generated throughout a product’s life cycle, including raw material extraction, production, transportation, usage, and disposal.
The most recognized methodologies are:
Digital tools like Dcycle simplify the process, providing accurate and actionable insights.
Some strategies require initial investment, but long-term benefits outweigh costs.
Investing in carbon reduction is not just an environmental action, it’s a smart business strategy.
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