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Estimating energy consumption and GHG emissions in the U.S. food supply chain for net-zero

Journal Article · · npj Science of Food (Online)
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [1];  [4]
  1. Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
  2. Texas State Univ., San Marcos, TX (United States)
  3. Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States)
  4. US Department of Energy (USDOE), Washington, DC (United States). Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office
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This work provides a database of the U.S. food system’s energy consumption and GHG emissions at the national and state levels by food supply chain (FSC) stage, fuel type, and food commodity. We estimate that the U.S. FSC consumed a total 4660 TBTU (4900 PJ) of site energy, 7130 TBTU (7500 PJ) of primary energy, and generated 970 MMT of GHG emissions in 2016. Among all the stages, on-farm production is the largest energy consumer (31% primary energy) and GHG emissions contributor (70%), largely due to raising animals. Optimizing distribution can reduce the stage’s energy consumption and GHG emissions and increase products’ shelf-life. Reducing food loss and waste is another good option, as it decreases the amount of food necessary to grow, thus impacting the overall FSC. The database can help stakeholders identify stage- and region-specific strategies and measures to curtail the environmental footprint of the U.S. food system.
Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
AC05-00OR22725
OSTI ID:
2512426
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 2538257
Journal Information:
npj Science of Food (Online), Journal Name: npj Science of Food (Online) Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 9; ISSN 2396-8370
Publisher:
Springer NatureCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (7)

A synthesis of carbon sequestration, carbon emissions, and net carbon flux in agriculture: comparing tillage practices in the United States journal September 2002
Net-zero emissions targets are vague: three ways to fix journal March 2021
Food systems are responsible for a third of global anthropogenic GHG emissions journal March 2021
A framework to quantify mass flow and assess food loss and waste in the US food supply chain journal April 2022
Dietary manipulation: a sustainable way to mitigate methane emissions from ruminants journal June 2018
Estimation of the greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural pesticide manufacture and use null January 2009
Effect of low and high forage diet on enteric and manure pack greenhouse gas emissions from a feedlot journal September 2004

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32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
agriculture
economics
environmental impact