Planted! How Local Governments Can Measure and Tackle Food-Related Emissions

People Places Planet

Very few municipal sustainability initiatives to date have focused on food-related emissions and specifically the relatively low carbon footprint of plant-based proteins, despite the fact that food accounts for over 25% of the average American household’s carbon footprint. And research indicates that without lowering the emissions associated with food consumption, we will be unable to meet global climate targets. In this episode, hosts Sarah Backer and Linda Breggin seek to understand why localities have been slow to move on reducing carbon emissions related to food consumption and speak to local governments that are leading the way on measuring, tracking, and reducing those emissions. Tune in to learn more about consumption-based emissions inventories from Angie Fyfe at ICLEI; DC’s approach to measuring emissions from municipal food purchasing from Alyssa Wooden; and Carrboro, North Carolina’s goal to reduce emissions from diets by 80% by 2030 from Laura Janway.

This podcast was created in conjunction with ELI’s Toolkit for Incorporating Plant-Based Protein Measures in Municipal Climate Action Plans.

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