INDICATORS FOR ASSESSING THE CARBON FOOTPRINT OF THE AGRI-FOOD SYSTEM

DOI 10.32651/231-11

Issue № 1, 2023, article № 2, pages 11-23

Section: Program-target management of development of agricultural production

Language: Russian

Original language title: ПОКАЗАТЕЛИ ОЦЕНКИ УГЛЕРОДНОГО СЛЕДА АГРОПРОДОВОЛЬСТВЕННОЙ СИСТЕМЫ

Keywords: AGRI-FOOD SYSTEM, SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE, ORGANIC AGRICULTURE, ORGANIC FARMING, CARBON FOOTPRINT, GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION, ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT, LOW-CARBON AGRICULTURE, FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT, GREEN SUPPLY CHAINS, SUSTAINABLE FOOD CONSUMPTION

Abstract: The development of agriculture in the context of climate change is becoming an urgent task for both developed and developing countries. The massive use of traditional industrial agricultural technologies increases the burden on the environment, which leads to intensive depletion of natural resources. The agri-food system is the most important source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Scientific and public organizations have been studying the concept, composition and indicators of carbon footprint assessment for many years, which makes it possible to more accurately assess its sources and regulatory possibilities. The article shows the evolution of the concept of the carbon footprint, as well as various indicators of its assessment. In relation to the agri-food system, the indicators of the carbon intensity of food production, the carbon burden on the resident of the country are presented. Among the factors influencing the size of the carbon footprint, the author identifies the type of agricultural production (organic or industrial), the size of the farm, as well as the duration of the food supply chain. As a result, the authors’ conclusion is made about the possibilities of regulating the carbon footprint of the agro-food system as by stimulating the use of low-carbon technologies, as by switching to more sustainable food consumption, that includes short food supply chains.

Authors: Nesterenko Natalia IUrevna