Sylvie Willis
Agriculture is heavily dependent on fossil fuels, which have contributed to major increases in food production since the 1960s. Fossil fuels are used directly for crop management and also indirectly for fertilizers, pesticides, and machinery production. Food systems account for at least 15% of all fossil fuel usage, with ultra-processed products such as snacks, drinks, and ready-made meals being dominant in high-income countries. The energy requirements for these processed foods are currently derived from fossil fuels, although renewable sources may become more prevalent in the future. The manufacturing of fertilizers is the most energy-intensive and fossil fuel-dependent stage of food production.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of fossil fuels used by food systems | 15% |
| Fossil fuel use in food systems since | 1960s |
| Fossil fuel use in agriculture | Direct energy use for crop management and indirect energy use for fertilizers, pesticides and machinery production |
| Fossil fuel use in manufacturing fertilizers | High |
| Fossil fuel use in refrigeration systems | High |
| Fossil fuel use in packaging | High |
| Fossil fuel use in transportation | High |
| Fossil fuel use in retail | High in high-income countries |
| Fossil fuel use in processed foods | High |
| Fossil fuel use in ultra-processed foods | 10 times more energy intensive than unprocessed foods |
| Fossil fuel use in meat production | 7 fossil fuel calories for every 1 calorie of meat consumed in Slovenia |
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What You'll Learn
Fossil fuel-based agrochemicals
Fossil fuels are used extensively in agriculture, with food systems accounting for at least 15% of all fossil fuel consumption. The manufacturing of fertilizers is the most energy-intensive and fossil fuel-dependent stage in food production. Fossil fuel-based agrochemicals, such as pesticides and fertilizers, are having a detrimental impact on biodiversity, including soil health, and are a significant driver of climate change.
Agrochemicals are petrochemicals derived from oil, gas, and coal, with fertilizers and pesticides used in industrial farming accounting for 75% of all petrochemical production. The use of these agrochemicals has led to a situation where soil has become increasingly reliant on synthetic agrochemicals for food production, making farmers more dependent on the corporations that produce them. This dynamic is further exacerbated by companies such as Monsanto, which sells packages of genetically modified seeds that require the use of fossil-fuel-based pesticides.
The fossil fuel and agrochemical industries have deep connections and collaborations, with shared board members and overlapping corporate ownership structures. These industries are pursuing initiatives that purportedly address the climate challenge of hydrocarbon combustion by using hydrogen and managing carbon through carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies. However, these initiatives are criticized as greenwashing, as they prolong reliance on fossil fuels and impede climate action.
The widespread use of fossil fuel-based agrochemicals has led to calls for an urgent shift to agroecological production systems that are less reliant on external inputs. Agroecology, built on the principles of food sovereignty, enables food production on a similar scale while reducing poverty and inequality. It promotes resilient, regenerative models that enhance food and energy sovereignty, allowing ecosystems and communities to thrive.
Transitioning away from fossil-fuel-based agrochemicals requires careful planning and collaboration with food producers, along with the availability of affordable alternatives. Governments play a crucial role by phasing out subsidies and tax breaks for fossil fuel corporations and supporting the development of renewable alternatives.
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Energy-intensive equipment
The use of energy-intensive equipment in this stage is substantial, encompassing refrigeration systems, packaging, and transport to preserve food from farm to table. The energy intensity has increased with the lengthening of supply chains, resulting in more packaging and stricter processing requirements. The manufacturing of fertilizers, a critical input for crop production, is particularly energy-intensive and fossil fuel-dependent. The production of nitrogenous fertilizers, for example, requires large amounts of natural gas as a feedstock and for processing.
Crop farms generally use more fertilizers, pesticides, and fuel for machinery than livestock farms, resulting in higher energy consumption. Direct energy consumption on farms includes diesel, electricity, propane, natural gas, and renewable fuels for various activities. Distillate fuel is the primary fuel for direct energy consumption in crop and livestock operations, powering crop tilling, harvesting, weed control, and other heavy machinery operations. Crop drying is another fuel-intensive activity, with fuel usage varying depending on the crop type and moisture content.
Water supply can also be energy-intensive, with most farms pumping water from wells and groundwater sources using electricity or diesel and propane in remote locations. Additionally, irrigation can be highly energy-intensive, consuming anywhere from 2 to 40 gallons of diesel per acre. To reduce fuel consumption, diesel engines can be replaced with propane engines or electric motors.
To mitigate rising fossil fuel costs and emissions, some farms are adopting renewable energy sources such as wind turbines, methane digesters, and photovoltaics. These renewable energy sources can help offset purchased energy needs and even provide additional income through the sale of excess energy to power suppliers.
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Fossil fuel prices
The manufacturing of fertilizers is the most energy-intensive and fossil fuel-dependent stage in food production. Nitrogen fertilizer production, for example, uses large amounts of natural gas and some coal and can account for more than 50% of the energy used in commercial agriculture. Fossil fuel prices directly affect the costs of fertilizers and, by extension, the overall costs of agricultural production.
In addition to fertilizers, fossil fuel prices influence the costs of tillage, pesticides, and machinery production. Modern agriculture is heavily dependent on fossil fuels for both direct and indirect energy use. The relationship between energy inputs and yields is complex, as low-energy inputs can lead to lower yields and higher energy demands per tonne of the harvested product. As a result, increasing and volatile fossil fuel prices can significantly impact the costs of food production.
The impact of fossil fuel prices on food production is particularly notable in livestock farming. Around 37% of global cereal production and 34% of arable land are used to provide animal feed, contributing to the release of nitrous oxide and other greenhouse gases. Cattle farming, in particular, can represent a significant demand for land and resources, with up to 10 kg of cereal required per kilogram of meat produced. Increasing fossil fuel prices could drive reductions in meat demand due to increased prices and a shift towards lower-energy intensity and higher-efficiency forms of meat production.
The transition towards renewable energy sources and agroecological production systems is crucial to reducing the dependence of food production on fossil fuels. However, countries with significant revenue from fossil fuel production may be reluctant to implement the necessary policies. Nonetheless, addressing the challenges posed by increasing fossil fuel prices and the need to mitigate climate change will require a combination of policy interventions, technological advancements, and shifts in consumer behaviour.
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Livestock farming
One of the main ways livestock farming contributes to fossil fuel usage is through the production of animal feed. Around 37% of global cereal production and 34% of arable land are used to provide animal feed. The process of manufacturing fertilizers and other farm inputs for feed crops emits carbon dioxide, and the application of fertilizers to these crops generates nitrous oxide emissions. Additionally, the energy required to produce and transport feed contributes to fossil fuel consumption.
The digestive process of ruminant animals, such as cattle and sheep, produces methane through enteric fermentation. While methane emissions from cow flatulence are often cited, over 90% of enteric methane from cattle is emitted through burping. Manure management systems, such as liquid manure lagoons, also contribute to methane and nitrous oxide emissions.
The energy used in livestock production, including ventilation, cooling, and slaughtering, contributes to fossil fuel consumption and emissions. While livestock farming is a significant user of fossil fuels, it is important to note that improvements in management practices and grazing systems can reduce fossil fuel dependence and emissions.
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Food transportation
Food systems account for at least 15% of all fossil fuels burned globally, according to research by the Global Alliance for the Future of Food and Dalberg Advisors. This includes food production, transport, and storage. The distance that our food travels has increased by a quarter over the last two decades, escalating emissions.
The fossil fuel calculation includes the entire supply chain from production on the farm to the point of purchase by the final consumer. However, it does not include the additional energy required to transport the food from the store or the energy used for refrigeration or cooking food after purchase.
The energy intensity of this stage is increasing as supply chains get longer, requiring increased packaging and stricter processing requirements. The manufacturing of fertilizers is the most energy-intensive and fossil fuel-dependent stage. In industrial agriculture, crops are dependent on large amounts of nitrogen fertilizers, petroleum-based agricultural chemicals, pumps that run irrigation, diesel for machinery, and oil for food distribution across the world.
To prevent catastrophic climate breakdown, there is a need to shift away from fossil fuel dependency towards renewable energy and regenerative and agroecological farming. This would not only protect the planet but also make food more affordable, enhance food security, create jobs, improve health, and help tackle hunger.
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Frequently asked questions
Food systems account for at least 15% of all fossil fuels.
Fossil fuels are a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, which in turn contribute to climate change.
Alternatives to fossil fuels in farming include renewable energy sources such as bio-fertilizers, on-farm pest management practices, and agroecology and regenerative approaches.
Fossil fuel prices directly affect the costs of tillage and fertilizers and influence almost all aspects of agricultural production, including the prices of food for consumers.
The challenges of transitioning from fossil fuels in agriculture include the need to optimize energy inputs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve yields to meet the growing global demand for food.
