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

Summary

This study quantifies the greenhouse gas burden of current Indian food production systems and projects how dietary shifts towards increased animal source food consumption would substantially elevate agricultural emissions. The authors identify a range of mitigation options compatible with future food security and production growth in the Indian context, suggesting that dietary patterns represent a key lever for climate change mitigation in the region.

UK applicability

Whilst contextualised to Indian agriculture and diets, the findings on emission intensity of animal-source foods and the mitigation potential of dietary composition shifts have direct relevance to UK climate targets and food policy. UK dietary guidelines and agricultural emissions reduction strategies could draw on these comparative insights, particularly regarding the climate case for lower animal product consumption.

Key measures

Greenhouse gas emissions (likely CO₂-equivalents) per unit food production across Indian agricultural systems; emissions intensity by food category; projected emissions under alternative dietary scenarios

Outcomes reported

The study quantified greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural production across multiple food categories required to supply current Indian diets, and modelled the emissions implications of dietary shifts towards greater animal source food consumption.

Topic tags