Determination of Carbon Footprint of Selected Major Cereals 

Abstract

A significant portion of the global population relies on cereals, a family of grasses, as their primary source of food that provide essential nutrients and energy. However, 30% of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide are now attributable to the global food system as a whole. When food is grown, transformed, packaged, transported, sold, and consumed, greenhouse gas emissions are created. Methane, nitrous oxide, and carbon dioxide are the three primary greenhouse gases. Hence, this study aims to investigate the carbon footprint associated with the production and consumption of cereals in Coimbatore, a bustling city in Tamil Nadu, India. To determine the carbon footprint, all stages of cereal production including cultivation, water consumption, land use and transportation were considered. Primary data is collected through surveys and secondary data from scientific literature, government reports, and databases. The carbon footprint of the foods was determined per year. The study result highlights that rice (1252.01 kgco₂e/yr)have a high carbon footprint when compared to other cereals followed by Italian millet (860.48kgco₂e/yr) which have high negative impact on environment whereas tender maize (100.35kgco₂e/yr) emits less carbon compared to others and has low impact on environment. By providing a comprehensive analysis of the carbon footprint of cereals in Coimbatore, this study helps to create awareness on the importance of sustainable agricultural practices. Legislators, cultivators, and other partners in the cereal supply chain may use the insightful information it provides to adopt focused actions aimed at reducing emissions and enhancing environmental sustainability.