A study funded by the World Economic Forum (WEF) has raised concerns over the environmental impact of urban agriculture, revealing that homegrown food production may contribute significantly to carbon emissions. Conducted by the University of Michigan and published in Nature Cities, the study found that urban-grown food generates nearly five times more carbon emissions per portion than traditional farming methods. The findings highlight the role of infrastructure and resource use in increasing emissions, prompting discussions on sustainable food production practices.
A new study funded by the World Economic Forum (WEF) has brought attention to the environmental impact of urban agriculture, suggesting that homegrown food production may significantly contribute to carbon emissions. The study, conducted by the University of Michigan and published in Nature Cities, analyzed various urban agriculture sites worldwide to evaluate their carbon footprint.
The research examined 73 urban farming locations across Europe, the United States, and the United Kingdom, categorizing them into individual or family gardens, collective community projects, and commercial urban farms. The study found that food grown in individual urban gardens emits nearly five times more carbon per portion than traditional farming operations.
The most significant contributor to carbon emissions in urban agriculture was the infrastructure used to grow the food, including raised beds, garden sheds, and pathways.”
Jake Hawes, Lead author
On average, conventional farms produce 0.07 kilograms of CO2 per serving, whereas urban gardens generate 0.34 kilograms per portion. Additionally, poorly managed compost and synthetic inputs in urban farms were identified as additional contributors to emissions.
While urban farming has been promoted as an eco-friendly alternative to industrial agriculture, the findings suggest that traditional farming methods may be more sustainable. The study found that conventionally grown fruit, for example, is 8.6 times more “eco-friendly” than fruit grown in urban settings.
With global climate goals driving efforts to reduce emissions, WEF has emphasized the need for further research and policy considerations regarding sustainable food production. These findings add to the growing conversation about the role of urban farming in a changing climate and the need for optimized sustainable practices.
