Roadmap for achieving net-zero emissions in global food systems by 2050
Abstract Food systems (FSs) emit ~ 20 GtCO2e/y (~ 35% of global greenhouse gas emissions). This level tends to raise given the expected increases in food demands, which may threaten global climate targets. Through a rapid assessment, evaluating 60+ scenarios based on existing low-emission and carbon...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2022-09-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-18601-1 |
| _version_ | 1828113044472856576 |
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| author | Ciniro Costa Eva Wollenberg Mauricio Benitez Richard Newman Nick Gardner Federico Bellone |
| author_facet | Ciniro Costa Eva Wollenberg Mauricio Benitez Richard Newman Nick Gardner Federico Bellone |
| author_sort | Ciniro Costa |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Food systems (FSs) emit ~ 20 GtCO2e/y (~ 35% of global greenhouse gas emissions). This level tends to raise given the expected increases in food demands, which may threaten global climate targets. Through a rapid assessment, evaluating 60+ scenarios based on existing low-emission and carbon sequestration practices, we estimate that intensifying FSs could reduce its emissions from 21.4 to − 2.0 GtCO2e/y and address increasing food demands without relying on carbon offsets (e.g., related to afforestation and reforestation programs). However, given historical trends and regional contexts, a more diverse portfolio of practices, including diet shifts and new-horizon technologies, will be needed to increase the feasibility of achieving net-zero FSs. One likely pathway consists of implementing practices that shift food production to the 30th-percentile of least emission-intensive FSs (~ 45% emissions reduction), sequester carbon at 50% of its potential (~ 5 GtCO2e/y) and adopt diet shifts and new-horizon technologies (~ 6 GtCO2e/y). For a successful transition to happen, the global FSs would, in the next decade (2020s), need to implement cost-effective mitigation practices and technologies, supported by improvements in countries’ governance and technical assistance, innovative financial mechanisms and research focused on making affordable technologies in the following two decades (2030–2050). This work provides options and a vision to guide global FSs to achieving net-zero by 2050. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T12:00:20Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-048cfe3c97754b0f98ed033deaa023b3 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T12:00:20Z |
| publishDate | 2022-09-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-048cfe3c97754b0f98ed033deaa023b32022-12-22T04:24:52ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222022-09-0112111110.1038/s41598-022-18601-1Roadmap for achieving net-zero emissions in global food systems by 2050Ciniro Costa0Eva Wollenberg1Mauricio Benitez2Richard Newman3Nick Gardner4Federico Bellone5The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT–Multifunctional LandscapesThe Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT–Multifunctional LandscapesresponsAbility Investments AGThe Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT–Sustainable FinanceU.S. Dairy Export CouncilUNFCCC Climate ChampionsAbstract Food systems (FSs) emit ~ 20 GtCO2e/y (~ 35% of global greenhouse gas emissions). This level tends to raise given the expected increases in food demands, which may threaten global climate targets. Through a rapid assessment, evaluating 60+ scenarios based on existing low-emission and carbon sequestration practices, we estimate that intensifying FSs could reduce its emissions from 21.4 to − 2.0 GtCO2e/y and address increasing food demands without relying on carbon offsets (e.g., related to afforestation and reforestation programs). However, given historical trends and regional contexts, a more diverse portfolio of practices, including diet shifts and new-horizon technologies, will be needed to increase the feasibility of achieving net-zero FSs. One likely pathway consists of implementing practices that shift food production to the 30th-percentile of least emission-intensive FSs (~ 45% emissions reduction), sequester carbon at 50% of its potential (~ 5 GtCO2e/y) and adopt diet shifts and new-horizon technologies (~ 6 GtCO2e/y). For a successful transition to happen, the global FSs would, in the next decade (2020s), need to implement cost-effective mitigation practices and technologies, supported by improvements in countries’ governance and technical assistance, innovative financial mechanisms and research focused on making affordable technologies in the following two decades (2030–2050). This work provides options and a vision to guide global FSs to achieving net-zero by 2050.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-18601-1 |
| spellingShingle | Ciniro Costa Eva Wollenberg Mauricio Benitez Richard Newman Nick Gardner Federico Bellone Roadmap for achieving net-zero emissions in global food systems by 2050 Scientific Reports |
| title | Roadmap for achieving net-zero emissions in global food systems by 2050 |
| title_full | Roadmap for achieving net-zero emissions in global food systems by 2050 |
| title_fullStr | Roadmap for achieving net-zero emissions in global food systems by 2050 |
| title_full_unstemmed | Roadmap for achieving net-zero emissions in global food systems by 2050 |
| title_short | Roadmap for achieving net-zero emissions in global food systems by 2050 |
| title_sort | roadmap for achieving net zero emissions in global food systems by 2050 |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-18601-1 |
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