Environmental Studies and Forestry

Calculation of external climate costs for food highlights inadequate pricing of animal products

M. Pieper, A. Michalke, et al.

This research conducted by Maximilian Pieper, Amelie Michalke, and Tobias Gaugler reveals startling findings about the external climate costs of food in Germany. With animal-based products topping the list at 2.41€/kg, this work underscores the urgent need for policy measures to align market prices with the true environmental costs of our food choices.

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Index

Abstract

This paper calculates the external climate costs of food in Germany, differentiating between farming systems and food categories. Using life-cycle assessment and meta-analytical approaches, results show that animal-based products have the highest external greenhouse gas costs (2.41€/kg), followed by dairy and plant-based products. These findings highlight the need for policy measures to close the gap between current market prices and the true costs of food.

Publisher

Nature Communications

Published On

Oct 27, 2020

Authors

Maximilian Pieper, Amelie Michalke, Tobias Gaugler

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