Vertical and Carbon Farming

Vertical Farming's Climate Impact

• Vertical farming reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
• It eliminates the need for long-distance food transportation, which lowers the carbon footprint.
• Renewable energy sources are used, minimizing reliance on fossil fuels.
• Vertical farming eliminates soil degradation.
• There is reduced deforestation for farmland expansion
• It decreases water and soil pollution.
• Fertilizer runoff, which harms ecosystems, is eliminated.
• Methane emissions from conventional agriculture are reduced.
• It is independent of droughts, floods, and unpredictable weather.
• Stable food production is maintained, even in extreme conditions.
• Crop failures are reduced, and are due to heatwaves or soil degradation.
• Local food systems are supported, reducing dependence on long supply chains.
• Vertical farms integrate into smart cities, reducing land use pressure.

Carbon Farming Measures

• Shifting from conventional tillage to no-till farming cuts emissions by 30 to 35 kg C/ha per season.
• There is higher soil organic carbon (SOC) after 5 years of organic vegetable production by adopting no tillage.
• Macroaggregates form under long-term conservation tillage.
• Nutrients are provided to the soil.
• Soil NO3 decreases by 30%.
• Carbon sequestration outweighs N2O emissions.
• There is higher soil organic carbon (SOC) compared to conventional tillage systems.
• Higher mineralized soil N is present compared with tilled systems.
• There is an overall decline of up to 7.6% in GWP (net global warming potential).

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

• IPM is an approach combining biological, cultural, physical, and chemical methods.
• It minimizes crop damage and reduce pesticide use.
• It involves monitoring pests and using prevention strategies, like crop rotation and resistant varieties.
• Targeted controls, such as natural predators or biopesticides, are applied, with synthetic pesticides used as a last resort.
• IPM reduces reliance on synthetic chemicals, protecting soil and water quality.
• It reduces the costs associated with extensive pesticide use.
• IPM protects beneficial organisms like pollinators and soil microbes.
• Pest resistance management slows the development of pest resistance to pesticides.
• Lower carbon footprint- Reduced production result in fewer emissions.
• Healthier ecosystems- Promotes biodiversity and enhances carbon sequestration
• Resilient cropping systems- Encourages adaptablity to climate variability.
• Sustainable practices- Builds long-term sustainability by reducing dependence on chemicals.

Sustainable Livestock Management

• Sustainable livestock management optimizes production while minimizing environmental impact.
• Practices use low-emission feeds, rotational grazing, biogas production from manure, and selective breeding for efficiency.
• All are aimed at reducing emissions and enhancing sustainability.
• Reduced methane and nitrous oxide emissions can be expected.
• Improved soil carbon sequestration occurs through better grazing.
• Efficient systems reduce feed costs and increase profitability.
• There is an improvement in animal welfare.
• Improved diets diets and manure management lowers methane emissions.
• Rotational grazing improves soil carbon storage.
• Biogas systems utilize waste, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
• Improved grazing systems and animal health creates resilience.
• Animal vulnerability to climate impacts reduces.
• Integration with crops creates systems resistant to climate variability.

Local and Seasonal Food Sourcing

• Local and seasonal food sourcing involves consuming food grown locally and harvested during its natural season.
• It reduces transportation needs.
• It minimizes energy use in storage.
• It avoids artificial growth conditions.
• Purchasing from local farms or markets supports community-supported agriculture (CSA).
• Consumption of fruits and vegetables is encouraged when naturally ripe.
• Reliance on energy-intensive greenhouses or imports reduces accordingly.
• Emissions from transportation, refrigeration, and storage are reduced.
• Locally sourced seasonal products are fresher and more nutritious.
• Local economies are boosted by supporting nearby farmers and producers.
• It cuts down transport emissions from shipping and trucking food long distances.
• It reduces energy consumption.
• Local agriculture is supported, decreasing global disruptions.
• Fresher, locally sourced food has a longer shelf life and reduces spoilage.
• Seasonal produce is more eco-friendly than out-of-season local food.
• In-season local food is the best choice for reducing carbon emissions.
• Local food isn't always more eco-friendly than imports, especially if transported by plane or grown in greenhouses.
• The need for energy intensive production is reduced.

Sustainable Food Packaging

• It includes materials that protect, preserve, and transport food.
• It ensures safety and extends shelf life.
• Traditional packaging often uses fossil fuels, landfill or recycling may impact the environment.
• Innovative materials like bioplastics reduce carbon footprints.
• Compostable packaging minimizes landfill waste.
• Lightweight materials use less energy for transport.
• Single-use plastics are a serous environmental hazard.
• 40% if plastic is produced for packaging.
• Lower production and transport emissions occur.
• Compostable packaging breaks down naturally, reducing methane emissions from landfills.
• Lightweight and compact designs reduce energy use in transportation.

Corporate Food Waste Reduction

• Bel's food waste impact equals approximately 4% of the Bel Group factories, approximately 4% of the total Bel Group scope 1-2-3 footprint.
• For Ahold Delhaize food and loss reduction is one of 6 key levers.
• For IKEA cutting food waste by 54 % avoids 36,000 tonnes of C02.
• MIgros has reduced their food waste ratio by 30%.
• Food losses occur due to inefficient practices.
• Reducing by smart shopping and planning.
• Storage optimization and using the freezer.
• Re-evaluating and collaboration to adopt to best practices.

Plant Based Diets

• Emphasis on foods derived from plant sources.
• No concussion is made on what defines the diet.
• PB diets is based of PB definitions between studies.
• Vegetarian diets exclude animal foods such as meat, dairy and eggs.
• Red meat such as beef, pork and lamb could protect against NCD's.
• Low intake of vitamins
• Limited forms of food.
• High amounts of ultra processed ingredients may not be nutritional.