Cities’ Role in Mitigating United States Food System Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Urban Farm DB summary

Using data from the literature and government sources, this study quantified life-cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the United States food system at an estimated 3,800 kg CO2e per capita in 2010, with cities directly influencing about two-thirds of food-sector emissions. Assessing selected mitigation measures, the study found that up-scaling urban agriculture and expanding home grocery delivery would each cut only about 0.4% and roughly 1% of total food-sector emissions respectively, whereas changes in waste management and a 50% reduction in post-distribution food waste would cut total food-sector emissions by 5% and 11% respectively.