Food
What's the issue?
Food accounts for 10-30% of a household’s carbon footprint, typically a higher portion in lower-income households. Production accounts for 68% of food emissions, while transportation accounts for 5%.
Food may be of the easiest of things to change. The benefits of a carbon efficient diet reach far beyond the environment; it will have a positive impact on your health and save money too.
What we can do about it
Learn about the impacts of different food
It is not always clear which food items have the highest carbon footprint and the impact can even change with the seasons. There are lots of calculators available to help, you.
Try the bbc food calculator.
Eat seasonal
Seasonal food means food that had been grown in your country at that time. If you eat food that is not seasonal you can bet your bottom dollar that it has either been transported a long way or has been grown in temperature controlled environments, both of which come with a big carbon footprint.
Eat less meat, but especially beef and dairy
Meat of any kind is a very carbon inefficient food and eating more vegetables and beans will be have very positive impact on your carbon footprint, your health and your wallet!
Cows have a very high carbon footprint and beef is by far the least carbon efficient meat accounting for around 5 times as much emissions as chicken.
Put a lid on your pan when cooking
A simple, easy one that will save a bit of time, energy and money. Every little counts.