For some, this may lead to better decisions
University of Leeds
A calculator which could reduce the level of carbon emissions generated by food production and consumption has been developed by data scientists at the University of Leeds.
The calculator, which is being trialed by Leeds City
Council’s school meals provider, makes it easier for food venues and
caterers to estimate the carbon footprint, land use, and water use of meals
based on their ingredients.
Around 10% of the UK’s carbon emissions can be linked
to the food we eat or waste, with every part of the journey from farm to fork
contributing to its overall environmental impact.
Alexandra Dalton carried out the research at the University's Leeds Institute for Data Analytics (LIDA) and the Consumer Data Research Centre. She said: “When we buy food, we don’t often think about where it has come from, or the environmental impact of the food supply chain.
“Small changes to our diets, such as eating more
fruit, vegetables, and plant-based products make a difference. However, we
should also try and consider where certain foods come from, how processed they
are, or whether it is in season.”
Researchers at CDRC have also been engaging with young
people in local primary schools through special food data science lessons,
workshops, and even creating an interactive and educational Planet Plates game.
Reducing carbon footprint
The initiative is part of a new collaboration
between Leeds
City Council, the University and FoodWise Leeds,
which aims to reduce the city’s carbon footprint.
The partnership is working on several new projects
designed to tackle climate change by making it easier for residents and
organisations to make informed food choices, support more sustainable food
production, and reduce food waste.
Catering Leeds is using the new tool to
review its school meal menus and suppliers with a view to supporting the local
authority’s climate targets. Last year, Leeds City Council set out its ambition
to halve the carbon footprint of the average meal it serves by 2030.
Meanwhile, FoodWise Leeds – a citywide partnership
with representatives from third sector, academia, businesses and the council –
has used the calculator’s findings to show the impact of simple, nutritious,
and affordable recipes published on its new online Recipe
Hub. It is believed to be the first recipe hub to include carbon
calculation.
Councillor Helen Hayden, Executive Member for
Infrastructure and Climate at Leeds City Council, said: “The food we eat is
responsible for a significant proportion of our carbon footprint, so we believe
it is important to lead by example to reduce the impact of the food we serve,
whilst empowering others to do the same.
“This new collaboration with the University of Leeds
and FoodWise is a brilliant example of how working together can help us realise
our ambitions for a healthier and greener city.”
Sonja Woodcock, Sustainable Food Places Coordinator at
FoodWise Leeds, said: “I’m really excited to be building on our existing
partnership with the University of Leeds and Leeds City Council with this new
collaboration.
“The Leeds Recipe Hub is an innovative resource that
will enable community groups and individuals to search, try, and share
nutritious, tasty, and affordable recipes—whilst helping people to better
understand the environmental impact of their food choices.”
Each of the organisations in the new partnership, plus
many others, have also contributed to the creation of the first city-wide food
strategy currently in development. The new Leeds Food Strategy will be
published in draft form and will open to consultation later this month.
Further information
For further details, contact Kersti Mitchell in the
University of Leeds press office via k.mitchell@leeds.ac.uk.