Study: Urban food systems can help the environment

Princeton University researchers have developed a framework to understand and compare urban food systems in terms of climate change, water use and land use. The results will help urban planners assess the impact of a food system and implement appropriate measures.

According to a Explanation by Anu Ramaswami, co-author of the study, the researchers found large differences in food systems both within countries and across borders. Nevertheless, they have succeeded in developing a generally applicable methodology through which the consequences of political measures on the environment can be assessed in advance.

In the study, greenhouse gas emissions as well as water and land use of the food systems of two Indian and two American metropolitan regions were examined. These are Delhi and Puducherry on the one hand and New York and Minneapolis on the other. With regard to the two American cities, it has been shown that a change in the dietary habits of the inhabitants, in which meat is replaced by lentils and vegetables, would lead to a 34 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

In India, on the other hand, rice cultivation is a key contributor to emissions. Replacing rice with wheat would have a sustainable impact on the footprint of both Delhi and Puducherry.

To deal with food waste 

In turn, if food waste management were improved, this would have a positive effect for all four cities. The measures needed to achieve this, however, would be different in all four metropolitan areas. An increase in agriculture, on the other hand, whether using conventional or vertical methods, would have only a minor impact, according to the statement.

The research now provides a method for assessing the environmental impact of food system policies, says co-author Dana Boyer. However, the many differences in food systems must also be taken into account. These would exist in terms of culture, health and also equity.