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

Summary

This study quantifies the greenhouse gas emissions associated with current Indian agricultural food production and explores how dietary shifts towards greater animal source food consumption would affect total agricultural emissions. The authors identify mitigation strategies that could reduce emissions from current levels whilst accommodating increased future food production and consumption demands in India. The work contributes to understanding the climate implications of dietary change in the Indian food system.

UK applicability

Whilst focused on India, the methodological approach and findings regarding the climate impact of animal-source foods versus plant-based alternatives are relevant to UK dietary and agricultural policy discussions. The mitigation strategies identified may have transferable application, though UK farming systems, dietary patterns, and climate contexts differ substantially from India.

Key measures

Greenhouse gas emissions (likely CO₂ equivalents) from agricultural production across food types and dietary scenarios

Outcomes reported

The study quantified greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural production required to supply current Indian diets and evaluated how dietary shifts towards greater animal source food consumption would affect total emissions. The research identified a range of mitigation options compatible with increased future food production and consumption demands.

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