Assessing the Carbon Emission Driven by the Consumption of Carbohydrate-Rich Foods: The Case of China

Abstract

Background: Carbohydrate-rich (CR) foods are essential parts of the Chinese diet. However, CR foods are often given less attention than animal-based foods. The objectives of this study were to analyze the carbon emissions caused by CR foods and to generate sustainable diets with low climate impact and adequate nutrients. Methods: Twelve common CR food consumption records from 4857 individuals were analyzed using K-means clustering algorithms. Furthermore, linear programming was used to generate optimized diets. Results: Total carbon emissions by CR foods was 683.38g CO2eq per day per capita, accounting for an annual total of 341.9Mt CO2eq. All individuals were ultimately divided into eight clusters, and none of the popular clusters were low carbon or nutrient sufficient. Optimized diets could reduce about 40% of carbon emissions compared to the average current diet. However, significant structural differences exist between the current diet and optimized diets. Conclusions: To reduce carbon emissions from the food chain, CR foods should be a research focus. Current Chinese diets need a big change to achieve positive environmental and health goals. The reduction of rice and wheat-based foods and an increase of bean foods were the focus of structural dietary change in CR food consumption.

The driving factors behind urban communities’ carbon emissions in the selected urban villages of Jakarta, Indonesia

“…Wynes & Nicholas (2018) reported that there were four human behaviors that can reduce carbon emissions: avoiding animal-based food consumption and shifting to plant-based (vegan) food consumption; reducing air transport; reducing motor vehicle usage; and having fewer children [16]. Individual behaviors that can reduce carbon emissions include reducing red meat consumption; shopping at traditional markets or local grocers; using bicycles for local transportation; shopping for fruit according to season to reduce waste due to damaged or rotten fruits; growing one's own groceries; and reducing the consumption of carbohydrate-rich foods [17]. Research has demonstrated that beef and lamb are the foods that produce the greatest carbon emissions per kg [18].…”

Spatial–Temporal Heterogeneity and Driving Factors of Rural Residents’ Food Consumption Carbon Emissions in China—Based on an ESDA-GWR Model

“…For example, based on the input-output method, Feng et al (2020) found that, compared to 1992, China's per capita food consumption carbon emissions were reduced by 21% in 2007 [9]. Yang et al (2019) found that Chinese residents' food consumption carbon emissions were 683.38 g CO 2 -eq per day per capita based on the life cycle method, noting that optimizing dietary structure can reduce carbon emissions by 40% [24]. However, a comprehensive study on food consumption carbon emissions in China has not yet been completed [12], especially from a rural residents' perspective.…”