Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 3 — Observational / field trialPeer-reviewed

Greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural food production to supply Indian diets: Implications for climate change mitigation

Sylvia H. Vetter, Tek B. Sapkota, Jon Hillier, Clare Stirling, Jennie I. Macdiarmid, Lukasz Aleksandrowicz, Rosemary Green, Edward J. M. Joy, Alan D. Dangour, Pete Smith

Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment · 2017

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Summary

This study models greenhouse gas emissions arising from agricultural food production required to supply Indian diets, examining how dietary composition affects total agricultural emissions. The analysis indicates that dietary patterns with increased animal source foods would substantially raise agricultural emissions from India. The authors identify a range of mitigation strategies compatible with both current emissions reduction and future food production capacity.

UK applicability

While geographically focused on India, the methodological approach to linking dietary composition with agricultural emissions is transferable. UK policymakers and researchers may draw insights on how dietary shifts toward animal products drive emission intensity, though absolute figures and mitigation options will differ given different agricultural systems and dietary baselines.

Key measures

Greenhouse gas emissions (likely in CO₂-equivalents) from agricultural production across different food items and dietary scenarios

Outcomes reported

The study quantified greenhouse gas emissions associated with supplying current and projected Indian dietary patterns, modelling the climate impact of shifts toward greater animal source food consumption.

Theme
Climate & resilience
Subject
Climate & greenhouse gas mitigation
Study type
Research
Study design
Modelling study
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
India
System type
Food supply chain
DOI
10.1016/j.agee.2016.12.024
Catalogue ID
BFmor3g9dh-gkuir4

Topic tags

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