Mercedes Mullins
The environmental impact of transporting food is a complex issue that involves various factors. The choice of transportation mode for food products depends on constraints such as cost, distance, and the type of product being shipped. Air freight is often used for perishable goods being transported internationally, while road, rail, and sea freight are commonly used for national or continental transport. The carbon dioxide emissions produced during transportation contribute to the overall carbon footprint of a food product, but they are not the only factor, as the energy used in cultivation, storage, and processing must also be considered. The energy efficiency of different transportation modes varies, with cargo ships having the lowest CO2 emissions per tonne of food transported and aeroplanes having the highest. The energy used for transportation can come in the form of liquid fuels, electrical energy, or food energy, and the calculation of energy efficiency takes into account the total energy input for propulsion. The transportation sector accounts for a significant portion of petroleum consumption, with gasoline being the most-consumed petroleum product in the United States.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of fossil fuels burned by food systems | 15% |
| Food miles emissions as a percentage of total food-system emissions | 19% |
| Food miles emissions as a percentage of CO2 emissions from food | 20% |
| Global food-system emissions | 15.8 GtCO2e |
| Percentage of global food transported by air | 0.16% |
| Transport emissions as a percentage of the carbon footprint of food | 6% |
| Carbon dioxide emissions produced by air transport per tonne-kilometer | 1.13 kg CO2eq |
| Carbon dioxide emissions produced by sea transport per tonne-kilometer | 0.023 kg CO2eq |
| Food transport modes, from lowest to highest CO2 emissions | Cargo ships, trains, cars, lorries, aeroplanes |
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What You'll Learn
Transporting food by plane
The amount of fuel burned by planes depends on the length of the flight, the type of plane, and the number of passengers. A Boeing 747, for example, uses approximately 1 gallon (about 4 litres) of fuel every second, burning 36,000 gallons (150,000 litres) of fuel over a 10-hour flight. This equates to 5 gallons of fuel per mile (12 litres of fuel per kilometre). However, when considering the number of passengers, the plane is getting 100 miles per gallon (42 kilometres per litre) per person.
The fuel economy of aircraft has improved over time, with average fuel burn falling by 45% from 1968 to 2014. Newer aircraft, such as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Airbus A350, and Bombardier CSeries, are 20% more fuel-efficient per passenger kilometre than previous generations. Additionally, operational procedures like maintenance and routing can help save fuel.
Despite these improvements, only 0.16% of food miles come from air travel, with most food being transported by boat. This is because boats can carry much more food for a given distance than a plane, making them more fuel-efficient for transporting food. Therefore, while the impact of air-transported food is high in terms of emissions, the overall impact is low because very few products are transported by air.
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Transporting food by cargo ship
The amount of fuel used by cargo ships varies depending on the size of the ship, the speed of travel, and the distance travelled. For example, a containership of around 8,000 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) would consume about 225 tons of bunker fuel per day at 24 knots. At 21 knots, this consumption drops to about 150 tons per day, a 33% decline. The CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin, an ultra-large container ship, can carry approximately 4.5 million gallons of fuel oil. Panamax container ships, which can carry up to 5,000 TEUs, typically hold between 1.5 million and 2 million gallons of fuel.
To reduce fuel consumption, some shipping companies have adopted the practice of slow steaming, which involves reducing the speed of the ship. Slow steaming can decrease fuel consumption by up to one-third but requires a larger number of ships or longer shipping times to maintain schedules. Since the 2008-2009 recession, major carriers have reduced ship speeds to 19 mph through slow steaming.
The fuel used by cargo ships, known as bunker fuel, is highly polluting. It is the sludgy dregs of the petroleum refining process and contains up to 2,000 times more sulfur than diesel fuel used in automobiles. A single large container ship can emit pollutants equivalent to that of 50 million cars in a year. As a result, there have been calls for the cargo industry to switch to cleaner fuels and for the implementation of regulations to reduce maritime pollution.
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Transporting food by train
Trains are a highly fuel-efficient mode of transporting food over long distances. Railroads play a crucial role in supporting farmers and food manufacturers, ensuring that groceries reach kitchen tables across the United States and beyond.
Freight trains are capable of hauling substantial amounts of cargo. A single freight train can transport over 200 cars, each carrying 100 tons of freight. This equates to moving one ton of freight nearly 500 miles on just one gallon of diesel fuel. In comparison to trucks, trains are 3-4 times more fuel-efficient, resulting in a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
The inherent efficiency of rail transportation is further enhanced by technological advancements. Locomotive fleets employ ""stop-start systems" that automatically shut down idling engines, reducing unnecessary idle time and conserving fuel. Additionally, advanced energy management systems, similar to cruise control, optimize throttle, coasting, and braking to improve fuel efficiency by up to 5%.
Railroads are also embracing renewable energy sources. Locomotives are increasingly powered by renewable diesel and biodiesel blends, reducing carbon emissions by 20% compared to traditional petroleum diesel fuel. These blends are chemically compatible with existing diesel engines, allowing for a seamless transition to more sustainable practices.
The strategic placement of locomotives throughout the train further enhances fuel efficiency by reducing the overall horsepower required to move the train. This, combined with the steady-state operation of trains at constant RPMs, minimizes fuel wastage.
By leveraging the fuel efficiency of trains, the rail industry is making significant strides in reducing fuel consumption and lowering its environmental footprint.
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Transporting food by car
Transporting food, like any other goods, requires energy. The energy efficiency of a transportation mode is calculated by dividing the useful travelled distance by the total energy put into the transport propulsion means. This energy can be in the form of liquid fuels, electrical energy, or food energy.
In the United States, about 30% of total energy consumption in 2023 was dedicated to transporting people and goods. Passenger transportation, especially in light-duty vehicles, accounts for most transportation energy consumption. Light-duty vehicles include cars, light trucks, and motorcycles. The fuel used in these vehicles is mostly gasoline, which is derived from petroleum products. In 2022, gasoline accounted for 52% of total energy consumption by the US transportation sector.
When it comes to transporting food by car, the energy efficiency of the car depends on various factors, including the fuel source, the size of the car, the speed, and the mass of the load. A car with a larger engine and lower fuel economy will consume more fuel than a smaller, more fuel-efficient car. Additionally, the energy efficiency of a car decreases when it carries a heavier load, such as a full trunk of groceries.
To optimize energy efficiency when transporting food by car, one could consider the following:
- Carpooling: Sharing rides with others can reduce the number of cars on the road and improve overall energy efficiency.
- Efficient packing: Efficiently packing groceries can reduce the number of trips needed, optimizing the energy used per trip.
- Electric or hybrid vehicles: These vehicles often have higher fuel economy than traditional gasoline-powered cars, reducing the amount of fuel needed to transport the same amount of food.
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The environmental cost of transporting food
Food systems, including food production, transport, and storage, account for at least 15% of all fossil fuels burned globally annually. This amounts to 4.6 gigatonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions, more than the emissions of all EU countries and Russia combined. The environmental cost of transporting food is significant, and it is important to consider the carbon footprint of food, including the greenhouse gas emissions during the production, distribution, and consumption of food.
The environmental impact of transporting food is often referred to as "food miles", indicating the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions produced to transport a tonne of food over a unit of distance. The mode of transport is a critical factor, with air freight generating 50 times more CO2 than sea shipping per tonne of food per kilometre. Aeroplanes have the greatest impact, emitting between 570 and 1580 grammes per tonne per kilometre, while cargo ships have the lowest emissions, with between 15 and 30 grammes per tonne of food per kilometre. Trains, cars, and lorries fall in between these two extremes.
The long-distance transportation of food contributes significantly to carbon dioxide emissions and the consumption of fossil fuels. The use of fossil fuels in the food system is expected to increase unless drastic transformations are made to break the link between food and fossil fuels. The manufacturing of fertilizers, for example, is the most energy-intensive and fossil fuel-dependent stage in food production, requiring extremely high temperatures and pressures.
To reduce the environmental cost of transporting food, it is important to consider not only the distance travelled but also the mode of transport and the energy efficiency of the vehicle. Additionally, reducing our consumption of animal products and highly processed foods can help lower the energy intensity of food systems.
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Frequently asked questions
The amount of fuel used to transport food depends on the mode of transportation. Cargo ships have the lowest CO2 emissions, emitting between 15 and 30 grams per tonne of food per kilometre. Trains, cars, and lorries emit more CO2 than cargo ships, while aeroplanes have the greatest impact, emitting between 570 and 1580 grams per tonne per kilometre.
The choice of transportation for food depends on various constraints, such as cost, distance to be travelled, and the type of food being transported. For example, air freight is typically used for food with a limited shelf life that needs to be transported between continents.
Liquid fuels, such as petroleum products, are the main energy source for the transportation sector. In the United States, gasoline, including motor and aviation gasoline, is the most-consumed transportation fuel, followed by distillate fuels (mainly diesel fuel) and jet fuel.
The fuel used to transport food contributes to its carbon footprint, which includes greenhouse gas emissions during the production, distribution, and consumption of food. However, it's important to consider the energy efficiency of different modes of transportation and the overall energy costs of producing, packaging, and disposing of fuel when assessing the environmental impact.
