NutritionCamp. Water management and climate change - Luca Ruini

Parma, 26 giugno 2009

Position Paper BCF&N

Water Management

Climate Change, Agriculture and Food

Luca F. Ruini – Corporate HSE&E Barilla

Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition

2

WATER MANAGEMENT


3

“... we can contain it, divert it, collect it,

purify it, package it, transport it and

transform it, the only thing we can’t do is manufacture water

which makes managing it an imperative”

World Bank “Water Program”, 2008

WATER MANAGEMENTWATER MANAGEMENT


4

Logical-interpretative description of the reference scenarioLogical-interpretative description of the reference scenario

FRESH WATER:Renewable but Limited

Resource

FRESH WATER:Renewable but Limited

Resource

Demographic Growth

Increasing affluence andlifestyles changing

UrbanizationEconomic Growth and Expansion of Business

Activity

Climate ChangePollution and Water

Waste

Mai

nC

hal

len

ges

Mai

nC

hal

len

ges

WATER SCARCITY

PhysicalGrowing Water

Demand EconomicVsVs

FUTURE SCENARIOS

Institutional and legal framework (Policy, law, finance)

Technology


5

Acquifers 30,8%

Frozen fresh water

68,9%

Lakes, rivers,

reservoirs, rainfall 0,3%

Seawater 97,5%

Fresh water 2,5%

Overall, our planet has available approximately 1.4 billion km3 of water

Only 2.5% of this is freshwater

It is estimated that only 9-14 thousand km3 of water, equal to approximately 0.001% of the total, is actually available for use by man, in terms of meeting suitable quality criteria and being accessible at acceptable costs

Allocation of the world’s water resources

Source: The European-House Ambrosetti re-elaboration from “Water at a glance”, FAO Water, 2006Source: The European-House Ambrosetti re-elaboration from “Water at a glance”, FAO Water, 2006


6

Freshwater resources are distributed unevenly

Freshwater resources are distributed unevenly among the regions of our planet: nine countries alone (Brazil, Russia, China, Canada, Indonesia, the United States, India, Colombia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo) possess 60% of the total resources

Freshwater availability (m3 per capita per annum)Freshwater availability (m3 per capita per annum)

Source: “Facts and Trends – Water”, World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), 2006


7

70%

30%

82%

22%

59%

10%8% 11% 8%

World High-incomecountries

Low- and middle-income countries

Agricultural use Industrial use Domestic use

Use of water resources per sector type (1/2)

Source: “Facts and Trends – Water”, World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), 2006

Agriculture-related use accounts for approx. 70% of global water consumption

This value is even higher in Countries with a medium-to-low income (in some developing countries it reaches as much as 95%), while in developed countries industry tends to weigh predominantly on total consumption


8

Industrial use

Agricultural use

Domestic use

Source: “Water at a glance”, FAO Water, 2006Source: “Water at a glance”, FAO Water, 2006

Use of water resources per sector type (2/2)


9

Use of water resources per domestic use

The UN fixes the minimum daily per capita requirement of water for primary needs connected with food and hygiene at 20-50 litres per day

More than one person out of six in the world does not reach this standard

Population with access to drinking waterPopulation with access to drinking water

Source: The European-House Ambrosetti re-elaboration from AQUASTAT database, FAO, 2006

Source: The European-House Ambrosetti re-elaboration from AQUASTAT database, FAO, 2006


10

Main factors affecting the growth in the demand for water resources

Demograthic growth andurbanizzation

Economic growth and expansion of economic activities

Changes in life style habits and in dietary habits

Climate change


11

Areas with environmental and economic water scarcity

Source: Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture, 2007

Little or no water scarcity

Economic water scarcity

Approaching physical water scarcity

Physical water scarcity

Not estimated


12

Water scarcity: 1995

Source: “Business in the world of water. WCCSD Water Scenarios to 2024”, WBCSD, 2006

Amount of water used compared to resources available - 1995Amount of water used compared to resources available - 1995Dal 20% al 10%Oltre il 40% Dal 40% al 20% Meno del 10%Dal 20% al 10%Oltre il 40% Dal 40% al 20% Meno del 10%Over 40% From 40% to 20% From 20% to 10% Less than 10%


13

Water scarcity future scenario: 2025

Source: “Business in the world of water. WCCSD Water Scenarios to 2024”, WBCSD, 2006

From 20% to 10%From 20% to 10%Over 40%Over 40% From 40% to 20%From 40% to 20% Less than10%Less than10%

Amount of water used compared to resources available - 2025Amount of water used compared to resources available - 2025


14

Water use per sector: future prospects

Source:“Facts and Trends – Water”, World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), 2006

it is estimated that between 15% and 35% of water withdrawals for irrigation will not be sustainable in the future


15

1. Models and instruments for integrated water managementPrepare policies, models and integrated management tools to effectively take on problems tied to water resources.

2. Innovation and technology to increase water productivityBreak the existing correlation that is very strong today, between economic growth, demographic growth and the consequent increase in the levels of water consumption

3. Lifestyles and consumption with a lower virtual water contentOrient the behaviour of individuals and consumption models towards lifestyles that imply more responsible utilization of water

4. Wide-scale commitment and responsibility to guarantee access to water Foster access to water for populations which currently find themselves disadvantaged from this standpoint, by promoting necessary investment and removing technical and political constraints

Recommendation: 7 areas of intervention (1/2)


16

5. Efficient localization of cultivation and virtual water trade for global savings of the water resources consumedRe-think on a global scale localization of production of goods with greatest impact on water consumption from an efficiency standpoint

6. Water neutrality to bring about a reduction in the consumption of water and compensation of external factors due to exploitationFurther develop the concept of water neutrality68, as a way of efficiently taking on the totality of issues tied to limiting consumption of water resources and as a tangible instrument in promoting more efficient use of this resource

7. Correct economic exploitation of water resources for effective management and more efficient useRethink the functioning of the markets on which water is traded through definition of economic mechanisms and models characterized by enhanced efficacy and efficiency through the creation of economic models which are capable of precisely defining the economic value associated with water use

Recommendation: 7 areas of intervention (2/2)


17

“Business water footprint accounting”, UNESCO-IHE, 2008

BUSINESS

WATER FOOTPRINT

Green Water

Blue water

Grey water

Total rainwater evapotranspiration

during the crop growth (from fields and plants)

Volume of surface and groundwater evaporated as a

result of the production of the product or service

(irrigation water and operational water for

industrial use)

Volume of polluted water

3 – WATER FOOTPRINT

DEFINITION

Water Footprint measures the water consumption in terms of water volumes consumed (evaporated) and/or polluted per unit of time

NB: Is also considered water from plant transpiration.


18

From waterfootprint.org3 – WATER FOOTPRINT

FOOD

15.500


19

Wheat 1.300

Sugar cane 1.500

Rice 3.400

Pork 4.800

Cheese 5.000

Beef 15.500

Product (unit of product) litres

1 sheet of A4-paper (80g/m2) 10

1 tomato(70g) 13

1 potato (100g) 25

1 microchip (2g) 32

1 cup of tea (250ml) 35

1 slice of bread (30g) 40

1 orange (100g) 50

1 apple (100g) 70

1 glass of beer (250ml) 75

1 glass of wine (125ml) 120

1 egg (40g) 135

1 cup of coffee (125ml) 140

1 bag of potato crisps (200g) 185

1 glass of milk (200ml) 200

1 cotton T-shirt (250g) 2.000

1 hamburger (150g) 2.400

1 pair of shoes (bovine leather) 8.000

Product (1 Kg) litres

Wheat 1.300

Sugar cane 1.500

Rice 3.400

Pork 4.800

Cheese 5.000

Beef 15.500

1 tomato(70g) 13

1 potato (100g) 25

1 microchip (2g) 32

1 cup of tea (250ml) 35

1 slice of bread (30g) 40

1 orange (100g) 50

1 apple (100g) 70

1 glass of beer (250ml) 75

1 glass of wine (125ml) 120

1 egg (40g) 135

1 cup of coffee (125ml) 140

1 bag of potato crisps (200g) 185

1 glass of milk (200ml) 200

1 cotton T-shirt (250g) 2.000

1 hamburger (150g) 2.400

1 pair of shoes (bovine leather) 8.000

3. Lifestyles and consumption with a lower virtual water content (1/4)

Source: The European House-Ambrosetti re-elaboration from Water Footprint Network, www.waterfootprint.orge A.Y. Hoekstra, A.K. Chapagain, “Water footprints of nations: Water use by people as a function of their consumprion pattern”, 2007

Average virtual water content of some products

(litres per unit of products)(litres per 1 kg of products)


20

INDIVIDUAL DAILY USE

DRINKING: 2 – 5 litres

VEGETARIAN DIET:

approx. 1.500 litres

VEGETARIAN DIET:


MEAT-REACH DIET:


MEAT-REACH DIET:


++



21

5.400

4.8004.600

4.400

3.400

Diet a(USA)

Diet b Diet c Diet d Diet e

Poultry replaces 50%

beef

Poultry replaces 50%

beef25% reduction

animal products

25% reduction animal

products

Vegetal products

replaces 50% red meat

Vegetal products

replaces 50% red meat


products


products


Impact of changes in eating habits on the virtual content of theaverage American diet (litres per person per day)

Source: The European House-Ambrosetti re-elaboration from Renault D., Wallender, W.W., “Nutritional Water Productivity and Diets: From «Crop per drop» towards «Nutrition per drop»”, Agricultural Water Management, 2000


22

Water Footprint of an average Italian citizens, m3 per annum

Simulation obtained using Footprint Calculator and Water Footprint Network data, 2009


-15%

-5%

2.332 1.868WF of an averageItalian citizens

WF of a “responsibilised citizen”

in Italy

+25% cereals -35% meat -15% dairy -25% eggs+60%vegetables+50% fruits ...

- 50% shower time

…

-20%

Water savings related to more virtuous domestic behaviour

Water savings related to more virtuous dietary choises

Full load washingmachine use

Reduce the number of washing machine wash


23

5. Efficient localization of cultivation and virtual water trade for global savings of the water resources consumed

Greater attention to the localization of cultivation, also incorporating

water efficiency into the system of variables that lead to the choice of a

location.

In particular, choices involving production location could take

advantage of the opportunities to maximize consumption of green

water, instead of blue water


24


Globalization of water use: the risk of “water colonialism”

Source: A.Y. Hoekstra, A.K. Chapagain, “Water Neutral: reducing and offsetting the impacts of water footprints”, Value of Water, Research Report Series No. 28, march 2008


25


Globalization of water use: the virtual water trade opportunity

Source: Ashok K. Chapagain, Arjen Y. Hoekstra, “The global component of freshwater demand and supply: an assessment of virtual water flows between nations as a result of trade in agricultural and industrial products”, 2006

USA Mexico

wheat, maize and sorghum

Nationalwater loss:

7,1 million m3

Nationalwater saving:

15,6 million m3

Global water saving:8,5 milioni m3


26

CLIMATE CHANGE , AGRICULTURE AND FOOD


27

“The challenge of climate

change, and what we do

about it, will define us, our

era, and ultimately, our

global legacy”

Ban Ki-MoonGeneral Secretary UN

Position Paper: Climate Change, Agriculture and Food


28

In surveys conducted in 2002, 2004 and 2008, perception of climate change as a source of preoccupation for potential generated impacts on the environment rose from 5th to 1st position

Perception of Climate Change: historic evolution 2001-2008

Note: The total is more than 100% because multiple responses were allowed for the questions askedSource: TEH-Ambrosetti re-elaboration from Eurobarometer, “Europeans and the Environment”, 1982-1995

48%44% 43% 43%

39%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Disastri causati dalle attività industriali

Inquinamento Atmosferico

Disastri Naturali

Inquinamento idrico

Climate Change

47% 46% 45% 45%

31%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Inquinamento idrico

Disastri causati dalle

attività industriali

Climate Change

Inquinamento atmosferico

Disastri Naturali

57%

42% 40% 39%

32%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Climate Change

Inquinamento idrico

Inquinamento atmosferico

Disastri causati dalle

attività industriali

Disastri Naturali

% % %

2002 2004 2008

Changes in perception of European citizens regarding certainfactors of risk for the environment


29

Main evidences of climate change (1/2)

Overall increase in temperature on a global scale

Melting and resulting decrease of land and marine surfaces covered by ice

Rise in the sea level

Variation in regional precipitation levels and its intensity, as well as an increase in the frequency of “extreme” phenomena (flooding, drought, etc.).


30

Main evidences of climate change (2/2)

Source: “Fourth Assessment Report: Climate Change 2007: Synthesis Report. Summary for Policymakers”, IPCC, 2007


31

The average overall temperature increase recorded on a global level between the average of the period 1850-1899 and the 2001-2005 one was 0.76 °C

The years between 1997 and 2008 were among the hottest ever recorded

Eight of the ten hottest years ever recorded have been those since 2001

Source: The European House-Ambrosetti from NOAA data, http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov e IPCC

Main evidences of climate change: increase in temperature (1/2)

Note: recorded anomalies in average temperature10from the period 1901-2000


32

Source: “Fourth Assessment Report: Climate Change 2007: Synthesis Report. Summary for Policymakers”, IPCC, 2007

Main evidences of climate change: increase in temperature (2/2)

The generalized warming seen in the last 50 years cannot be explained solely by the effect of natural forces and that the influence of outside forces (anthropogenic interference) must also be taken into consideration


33

Source: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center

1979 2005

Compared with 1979 levels, the extent of the ice cap on the Arctic Sea has decreased by 20%

Extension of the ice cap on the Arctic Sea, 1979-2005(Extension of the ice cap on the Arctic Sea in the moment of minimum extent)

Main evidences of climate change: contraction of glaciers and snow cover


34

Main evidences of climate change: rise in the sea level

On a global level, the estimated total rise over the 20th century was 0.17 m

The average sea level worldwide has increased at an average rate of 1.8 mm per year between 1961 and 2003. The rate of growth was higher during the period 1993-2008: approx. 3.4 mm per year

Source: “Fourth Assessment Report: Climate Change 2007”, IPCC, 2007


35

Main evidences of climate change: precipitation

Despite the fact that there is significant variability in terms of geographical area and time frames, and although for some regions only limited data is available, significant increments have been observed for the period 1900-200515 in the eastern areas of North and South America, in Northern Europe and in Northern and Central Asia. On the contrary, a diminution has been noted in countries in the sub-tropical area (between the 10th and 30th northern latitudes)

Source“Fourth Assessment Report: Climate Change 2007”, IPCC, 2007

+ = Significant trends (5%)


36

Main evidences of climate change in Italy

Source: ENEA - Progetto Speciale Clima Globale, WWF Italy

Average annualtemperatures + 1,7 °C(last two centuries)

Approx. - 5% per century

- 6 giorni (ultimi 50 anni)

- 14 giorni (ultimi 50 anni)

Areas at risk of desertification amountto over 1/5 of Italy’s surface area

-10% circa (ultimi 50 anni)

Decrease in Water resources

47%

31.2%

60%54%

Mediterraneo: il tasso di crescita degli ultimi 100 anni è compreso fra 1,3-2 mm/anno.Secondo i trend attuali, nel 2090 circa 4.500 chilometri quadrati di aree costiere e pianure sono a rischio inondazione (innalzamento previsto 18-30 cm)


37

Climate change main drivers

SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Population GDP Energy system Industry, Agriculture and land use Socio-cultural preferences Production and consumptions patterns

GREENHOUSE GASES (GHGs) EMISSIONS ARE THE MAIN DRIVER OF

THE CLIMATE CHANGE PROCESS


38

Energy supply25.9%

Industry19.4%

Forestry17.4%

Agricolture13.5%

Transport13.1%

Residencial and commercial buildings

7.9%

Waste2.8%

Climate change main drivers: greenhouse gases

Global anthropogenic emissions of GHGs, by sector, 2004

Since the pre-industrial period, global emissions of greenhouse gases have increased of 70% between 1970 and 2004;(1970-2004)

The most significant amount of greenhouse gas was generated by activities related to energy supply, transport and, in general, to those that were industry-related

Source: “Fourth Assessment Report: Climate Change 2007”, IPCC, 2007

Atmospheric concentration of the main GHGs, 0-2005


39

Forestry: Biodiversity at risk

Species number and geography concentration

Vegetation health and productivity

Health:Infectious diseases

Mortality caused by extreme events

Air quality – chronic respiratory diseases

Energy and Industry: Localization

Changes in energy demand and supply

The Impacts/1

Water resources: Availability and quality of

water resourcesCompetition

Transboundary waters issues

Climate change global implications

IMPLICAZIONS

Agriculture: Alteration of crops productivity

Changes in water resources needs

Coastal erosion: Erosions and flooding

Wetlands changes and alteration


40

CLIMATECHANGE

AGRICULTURE

GREEN HOUSE GASES EMISSIONS

PRODUCTIVITY

FOOD SECURITY

SOCIAL IMPACTS

1

2

1. RELOCATION OF THE AGRICULTURAL

PRODUCTION

2. INNOVATION IN MANAGEMENT

TECHNIQUES AND AGRIFOOD PRACTICES

3

The relationship between climate changes and the agricultural sector


41

Agriculture accounts for the production of approximately 33% of all annual greenhouse gas emissions worldwide

The main greenhouse gases produced by the agricultural sector

The European House-Ambrosetti re-elaboration from WRI CAIT

Agriculture 33%

Other sectors67%

Altro (CH4, N2O) 6%

Manure Mng. (CH4) 7%

Energy-Related (CO2) 9%

Rice (CH4)10%

Enteric Fermentation (CH4)27%

Soils (N2O)40%

N2O 46%

CH4

45%

CO29%


42

The main greenhouse gases produced by the agricultural sector

Agriculture SectorANNUAL EMISSION (million of CO2-EQ)

GHGs EMITTED

Deforestation(peat included) 8.500 CO2

Fertilization(manure and chemicals)

2.100N2O

Enteric fermentation 1.800 CH4

Biomass combustion 700 CH4 - N2O

Rice production 600 CH4

Cattle manure 400 CH4 - N2O

Others (for ex. irrigation) 900 CO2 - N2O

Source: The European House-Ambrosetti re-elaboration based on “State of the World 2009”, 2009


43

Carbon fertilization and productivityCarbon fertilization and productivity

* About 550 ppmSource: The European House-Ambrosetti re-elaboration from W. Cline, Global Warming and Agriculture, Centre for Global Development, 2007

An increase in CO2 emissions not only raises the temperature of our planet and damages agriculture, but it also has a positive effect on agriculture itself by alleviating the adverse effects related to overheating

CO2 is an input into chlorophyll photosynthesis which utilizes solar energy to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen and other organic components

High concentrations of CO2 intensify the process of photosynthesis and closure of plant stomata with a resulting reduction in their loss of water

the presence – or lack of presence – of carbon fertilization has a significant influence on future forecasts regarding the impact of planet overheating on agricultural

production

a number of laboratory studies have shown how wheat exposed to high concentrations of CO2 registered a 31% increase in yield. Nonetheless, in experiments run on fields in the

open, the yield increase was between 7% and 11%


44

Delta production with no carbon fertilization

Delta production with carbon fertilization

Delta in monetary terms (base 2003)

Australia -26.6% -15.6% -3.4<X<-2.1

Brazil -16.9% -4.4% -4.9<X<-1.3

Canada -2.2% +12.5% -0.4<X<+2.2

Europe -9.4% +4.1% -8.7<X<+3.8

China -7.2% +6.8% -15.3<X<+14.2

India -38.1% -28.8% -50.4<X<-38.1

Mexico -35.4% -25.7% -8.8<X<-6.4

Japan -5.7% +8.4% -2.4<X<+3.6

Russia -7.7% +6.2% -8.7<X<+3.8

US -5.9% +8% -5.8<X<+8.1

World -15.9% -4.2% -186.5<X<-38.1

India, Mexico, Australia and Brazil will be the areas hardest hitIndia, Mexico, Australia and Brazil will be the areas hardest hitImpacts on agricultural output as of 2080

Source: The European House-Ambrosetti elaboration from Peterson Institute for International Economics

Even in the presence of carbon fertilization, world annual agricultural production would decrease by almost 40 billion dollars


45

Delta production with no carbon fertilization

Delta production with carbon fertilization

Delta in monetary terms (base 2003)

Belgium -6.7% +7.3% -0.2<X<+0.2

France -6.7% +7.3% -2.3<X<+2.6

Germany -2.9% +11.7% -0.5<X<+2.0

Greece -7.8% +6.0% -0.7<X<+0.6

Italy -7.4% +6.5% -2.4<X<+2.1

Netherlands -7.0% +6.9% -0.7<X<+0.7

Portugal -9.6% +4.0% -0.4<X<+0.2

Romania -6.6% +7.4% -0.4<X<+0.5

Sweden, Norway, Finland

+10.9% +27.5% +0.9<X<+2.5

Spain -8.9% +4.8% -2.7<X<+1.4

UK -3.9% +10.5% -0.5<X<+1.3

In Europe carbon fertilization neutralizes the negative effects of overheatingIn Europe carbon fertilization neutralizes the negative effects of overheatingImpacts on agricultural output as of 2080

Source: The European House-Ambrosetti elaboration from Peterson Institute for International Economics


46

Equatorial areas will be the most heavily hitEquatorial areas will be the most heavily hit

Source: The European House-Ambrosetti re-elaboration from Peterson Institute for International Economics data

Impact on agricultural production as of 2080 without carbon fertilization


47

Source: The European House-Ambrosetti re-elaboration from Peterson Institute for International Economics data

With carbon fertilization the northern hemisphere will see substantial improvementWith carbon fertilization the northern hemisphere will see substantial improvement

Impact on agricultural production as of 2080 with carbon fertilization


48

Bacteria, viruses and protozoan parasites

Zoonosis and zoological diseases

Toxic fungi and microtoxin contaminations

Toxic algae

Environmental contamination and chemical residues in the food chain

Food Safety enemies


49

A shared responsibility

The current economic crisis must not be seen as an adequate reason for postponing discussion and resolution of such serious problems as those linked to climate change. It should be instead seen as the ability to create an opportunity to shift toward a low carbon emission economy

According to the nature and mission of the Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition, the recommendations given below regard the agrifood sector and, more specifically, the food sector

Racomendations: the 3 assumption considered

ONG/Centri di Ricerca/Università

Policy MakersPolicy

Makers ProduttoriAgricoltori DistributoriProducersFarmers Distributors

Analysis, strategy and control Supply Consumption

Families

Research

Centres

Universities

NGO


50

1. Promote and spread the use of objective environmental impact indicators that are simple and can be communicated at all levels It is essential to emphasize the use of the Ecological Footprint in addition to the Carbon Footprint, as a comprehensive instrument for measuring the environmental impact of individuals, companies (production and distribution within each and every sector), and countries. It evaluates the best strategies for intervention and measures their progress

2. Encourage economic policies and a system of fair, effective incentives/disincentives The adoption of economic policy instruments that, for example apply mechanism of internalization of emissions costs, are increasingly being adopted and this is an essential condition for passage to a more sustainable economic arrangements

3. Re-localize crops, reduce incidence of zootechnical activities, protect forests

Recommendation: 6 priority areas on intervention (1/2)


51

4. Encourage technological innovation and promote sustainable agricultural policies (best practice) we need to step on the accelerator of technological innovation and on transfer knowledge from research to concrete applications. The introduction of more eco-friendly fertilizers and best practices are key issues.

5. Promote transparent communication policies (up to green labelling)

6. Promote eco sustainable life styles and diets

Recommendation: 6 priority areas on intervention (1/2)


52

2 – CARBON FOOTPRINT

IL CARBON FOOTPRINT

Carbon footprint represent the total amount of greenhouse gases (GHG) produced to directly and indirectly support human activities, usually expressed in equivalent tons of CO2.

The carbon footprint calculation have to follow an life cycle assessment approach, analysing every producing phases to evaluate each impact.

For the own easily comprehension it is used as an environmental comunication instrument for international relationships.


53

4 – ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT

ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT

www.footprintnetwork.org

Is a measure of how much biologically productive land and water an individual, population or activity requires to produce all the resources it consumes and to absorb the waste it generates using prevailing technology and resource management practices


54

The evidence produced have shown how, in the scenario deemed most likely, there will be a future decrease in agricultural productivity, without any radical intervention and sown surface being equal

Climate change could have a negative effect on some geographic areas and their ability to guarantee adequate levels of production vs. the current volumes

We could see the best latitudes for agriculture shift northward for an extremely significant percentage of the crops

We need to set a clear view of the possible future development of the scenario and make economic policy choices with a transnational view



55

We are seeing the continuous growing of zootechnic and use of the territory for the related activities

On one hand, zootechnical management processes should be optimized in order to reduce the environmental impact

On the other, even before the production model, dietary model must be reviewed as it is excessively tilted toward the consumption of meat and zootechnological derivatives



56

Finally, we must protect the Planet’s forestry resources much more efficiently than we have up till now, allocating agricultural activities on the basis of their environmental impact

Forests, in fact, play a fundamental role in the biological equilibrium of the Earth. The indiscriminate use of land, through deforestation – a practice that is taking place in Indonesia in order to make way for new plantations of palm oil – generates extremely serious damage inasmuch as it reduces the Earth’s biocapacity



57

Adoption of green labelling policies that, for example, have already been successfully tested, in the area of energy efficiency

However, there must be clear-cut guidelines for how to calculate environmental indicators (i.e., grams of CO2), and what and how to communicate in order to guarantee correct, clear and, above all, verifiable information

5. Promote transparent communication policies


58

2 – CARBON FOOTPRINT

IL CARBON FOOTPRINT

Carbon footprint represent the total amount of greenhouse gases (GHG) produced to directly and indirectly support human activities, usually expressed in equivalent tons of CO2.

The carbon footprint calculation have to follow an life cycle assessment approach, analysing every producing phases to evaluate each impact.


59

ITALIAN CASE: IMPATTO ZERO LABEL

The project called Impatto Zero® (Null Impact) born to demonstrate environmental compensation methods (like reforestation, renewable energy…) against greenhouse gases emission during production (carbon footprint).

This project is made by Lifegate, an Italian company working in comunication, and is one of the most interesting cases in Italy.

www.lifegate.it


60

Even because of the global population increase seen over the last few decades, life styles tend to have an increasing effect on the ecological balance of the Planet

Above all, in the food sector, the models we have seen arise are contradictory to the goals of environmental protection:

increased consumption of meat reflects the rise in the economic condition of entire populations and the spread of some western dietary models

deseasonalization of consumption of fruits and vegetables by “forcing” of natural processes

globalization of trade in agricultural goods to the detriment of local consumption, resulting in increased release of greenhouse gases due to transportation



61


The food pyramid and the environmental pyramid

FISH MEAT

OILS

CHEES COLD MEAT SWEET

EGGS LEGUMES

PASTA BREAD RICE

MILK YOGHURT

VEGETABLES POTATOES

FRUIT

SWEET

MEAT COLD MEAT FISH LEGUMES

YOGHURT MILK EGGS CHEESE

OILS

POTATOES PASTA BREAD RICE

FRUIT VEGETABLES

Food Pyramid Environmental Pyramid

High

Low

Po

rtio

ns

sug

ges

ted

NutritionCamp. Water management and climate change - Luca Ruini

Education

fourth assessment report

wccsd water scenarios

carbon footprint calculation

virtual water trade

world business council

synthesis report

greenhouse gases

carbon footprint