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

Summary

This paper quantifies the climate impact of current Indian food production systems and models how shifts towards greater consumption of animal source foods would increase agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. The authors evaluate mitigation strategies that could reduce emissions while accommodating future increases in food production and consumption demand. The findings highlight the climate trade-offs between dietary patterns and Indian agricultural sustainability.

UK applicability

Whilst focused on Indian agricultural systems and dietary patterns, the methodological framework and mitigation strategies may inform UK policy on sustainable food systems and dietary guidance. However, direct applicability is limited given differences in agricultural systems, farm scale, and baseline dietary patterns between the two countries.

Key measures

Greenhouse gas emissions (likely in CO2-equivalents) by food type and dietary pattern; emissions intensity; projected emissions under dietary shift scenarios

Outcomes reported

The study quantified greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural production of foods supplying current Indian dietary patterns and modelled how emissions would change under different dietary scenarios. It identified mitigation options compatible with increased future food production and consumption demands.

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