Eating for the Planet: What Really Matters

The Food Miles Surprise

When it comes to climate-friendly eating, many assume that local food is always best. The logic seems sound: less distance must mean fewer emissions. But the reality is more surprising. Transport accounts for just about 5% of global food-related emissions. Why so little? Because a majority of the food we eat—roughly 59% of global food miles—travels by ship, one of the most efficient modes of freight transport available.

In fact, shipping food by sea emits about 20 times less carbon than trucking it overland, and an astonishing 50 times less than flying it by air. So while your bananas might come from across the ocean, their voyage has a smaller carbon footprint than you might think.

Let's explore this from this chart by Our World In Data.

When Transport Does Matter

That said, not all food journeys are created equal. Air-freighted goods—often marked by their pristine freshness and short shelf lives—are major outliers. These items are usually seasonal delicacies or perishables that can't afford a long boat ride. Be especially wary of:

1. Fresh berries in winter that seem too good to be true

2. Asparagus or green beans shipped from other continents

3. Certain fish and seafood that must arrive within hours of being caught

   
   

Air transport produces a staggering 1,130 grams of CO₂ per ton-kilometer, compared to just 20 grams for sea freight. That means a handful of out-of-season raspberries might come with a carbon footprint larger than an entire locally grown meal.

Production Impact Trumps Distance

But the biggest environmental lever isn't how far food travels—it's how it's produced. Consider this: Beef production emits around 60kg of greenhouse gases per kilogram of meat, largely due to methane emissions and resource-intensive farming. In contrast, many plant-based proteins like lentils or tofu produce less than 1kg of emissions per kilo.

This means that simply swapping a beef burger for a bean-based meal once a week can do more to fight climate change than going fully local for months. It’s not just about miles; it’s about methods, ingredients, and choices.

Simple, Climate-Smart Food Choices

If you want to eat with the Earth in mind, here are four practical steps:

• Reduce animal products, especially red meat and dairy

• Favor foods that are grown sustainably—think legumes, grains, and seasonal produce

• Cut food waste by planning meals and using leftovers creatively

• Avoid air-freighted foods, particularly luxury items out of season

  
  

In the end, the most powerful way to reduce your food-related emissions isn't to obsess over your apple’s origin—it's to rethink what’s on your plate in the first place.