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

Carbon pricing of food in Australia: an analysis of the health, environmental and public finance impacts

Marco Springmann, Gary Sacks, Jaithri Ananthapavan, Peter Scarborough

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health · 2018

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Summary

This modelling study used coupled economic, environmental and health frameworks to assess the effects of incorporating food-related greenhouse gas emissions costs into commodity prices in Australia. A carbon price of $23 per tonne CO2-equivalent was projected to prevent approximately 49,500 DALYs whilst reducing food-sector emissions by 6% and generating $866 million in public revenue. The findings suggest that climate pricing mechanisms on food can simultaneously advance public health, emissions reduction and fiscal objectives.

UK applicability

The methodology and policy approach are directly relevant to UK consideration of carbon pricing or similar economic instruments on food, particularly given comparable dietary patterns and food systems in high-income countries. However, UK-specific results would require localised data on consumption patterns, food lifecycle emissions, and price elasticities.

Key measures

Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) avoided; food-related greenhouse gas emissions reductions (MtCO2-eq); tax revenue ($AUD million); changes in dietary consumption patterns and weight-related risk factors

Outcomes reported

The study modelled the health, environmental and fiscal impacts of incorporating a carbon price ($23/tCO2-eq) into food commodity prices in Australia. It measured avoided disease burden (DALYs), greenhouse gas emissions reductions, and public revenue generation.

Theme
Policy, governance & rights
Subject
Food & agricultural policy
Study type
Research
Study design
Policy modelling study
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
Australia
System type
Food supply chain
DOI
10.1111/1753-6405.12830
Catalogue ID
BFmou2mlyw-zcnjgg

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