This archive report was first published on 24 September 2019.
Published on September 24, 2019, a report by the Hoffmann Centre for Sustainable Resource Economy at Chatham House in London has shed new light on the environmental impact of food production and transportation.
Contrary to the popular notion that buying locally produced foods is better for the environment, the study found that transporting food from other countries can be more environmentally friendly than relying on locally produced foods that rely heavily on fossil fuels.
According to the report, placing British apples in cold storage for 10 months generates twice the level of emissions as transporting South American apples by sea to the UK.
Christophe Bellmann, an associate fellow at Hoffmann and one of the report's authors, emphasized that emissions occur at various stages of the value chain, including production, storage, and disposal.
He noted that buying locally to save the planet makes sense when the produce is in season, but thinking importing food is bad for the environment is based on a narrow understanding of greenhouse gas emissions.
The report also highlighted the importance of trade in agricultural products, which has more than tripled over the last two decades to reach $1.3 trillion.
However, protectionist policies on staple foods have limited food availability in import-dependent countries and generated volatility on world markets.
The report called on governments to remove perverse incentives, such as subsidies encouraging the overuse of fertilizers or pesticides, and promote sustainable and healthier food systems.
