Comparing the carbon footprints of urban and conventional agriculture
January 22, 2024 | Nature Cities |
Introduction: Urban agriculture (UA) is seen as a key solution for creating sustainable urban food systems. In collaboration with European researchers, a US research team based in University of Michigan compared the environmental impact of UA to conventional agriculture across 73 sites in Europe and the United States.
Key findings: Results showed that UA produces six times more carbon emissions per serving compared to conventional farming. However, some UA crops and sites outperform conventional agriculture, suggesting ways to reduce climate impact. Recommendations include cultivating crops typically grown in greenhouses or air-freighted, prolonging UA infrastructure lifespan, and utilizing urban waste for inputs. Despite UA's higher carbon intensity, it offers social benefits like improved mental health and community building. Future research should explore strategies to mitigate UA's environmental impact while maximizing its social and nutritional benefits.
Figure | Infrastructure and carbon footprints at urban agriculture sites.
Viewed Articles
January 22, 2024 | Nature Cities |Introduction: Urban agriculture (UA) is seen as a key solution for creating sustainable urban food systems. In collaboration with European researchers, a US research
Read More
Introduction: Chemical fertilizers have been essential to boosting food production worldwide, but nutrients that crops fail to take up can be lost to the atmosphere or waterways, leading to greenhouse
April 2025 | Energy Conversion and Management | Volume 330Introduction: Dewi and her research team demonstrated how hybrid machine learning could improve solar energy forecasting and support more reli
uly 2024 | Energy Strategy Reviews | Volume 54Introduction: Greenhouse farming can support stable crop production under controlled conditions, but maintaining suitable temperatures can require substan
June 2025 |Energy Nexus |Volume 18Introduction: Agricultural irrigation is becoming increasingly costly and carbon-intensive as farms continue to rely on grid electricity and diesel-powered pumping. W
June 2023 | Journal of Environmental Management | Volume335Introduction: Agricultural land does not have to choose between producing food, generating renewable energy, and protecting biodiversity. Sch
