Exploring hotspots in the carbon footprint and energy use profiles of fresh tomatoes. Girija Page

Exploring hotspots in the carbon footprint and energy use

profiles of fresh tomatoes

Girija Page; Brad Ridoutt; Bill Bellotti

Why CF and EF of tomatoes for Sydney consumer?

Carbon Footprint (CF) Energy footprint (EF)

BackgroundAgri-food products - environmental impactsFood labelling for environmental burdens may become

necessary

Systems studied

Field production

Greenhouse production Sydney

Field production

Low-tech GH

Med-tech GH

Location Bundaberg Sydney Sydney

Growing season Mostly year round

Warmer months

Year-round

Cropping cycle 3-5 months 5-6 months

11 months

Yield t/ha 60 160 340

Artificial heating never minimal mostly

Distance to market km

1400 25 25

System boundary

Transport to the Sydney market

Cultivation on farm

•GHG (kg CO2)•Energy (MJ)

Ra

w m

ate

ria

l ext

ract

ion,

pro

du

ctio

n

and

del

ive

ry

Greenhouse production

Hotspots- Field production MJ kg CO2

Mineral/fertilisers 6.5 7.7

Pesticides 1.2 0.9

Diesel 8.3 8.3

Packaging 8.7 3.7

Electricity 9.6 12.8

Transport 65.7 66.5

Hotspots-Low-tech Sydney MJ kg CO2

Minerals/fertilisers 25.00 44.97

Pesticides 0.49 0.36

Diesel 4.29 4.09

Artificial heating 25.16 29.22

Packaging 11.93 31.82

Electricity 11.65 8.17

Transport 1.63 1.53

Hotspots-Med-tech Sydney

MJ kg CO2

Fertilisers 2.9 3.2

Pesticides 0.1 0.1

Diesel 1.9 1.6

Artificial heating 89.2 92.4

Packaging 4.6 1.5

Electricity 0.6 0.8

Transport 0.5 0.4

Key results

Energy use and associated emissions

Best to eat locally grown tomatoes in season

Heated Sydney greenhouses

OR

Supply from Queensland

Sydney

Further considerations

Eat more processed tomatoes out of season?Different modes of transport?Use non-yield biomass as a fuel source?Trade-offs with other environmental considerations?

• Thank you