As a recipe developer and Holistic Chef, I've always dreamed of displaying the environmental impact of specific ingredients and recipes. Imagine having these details included on a recipe card or menu for people to make a more informed choice.
The future of food labeling awareness
Along with nutritional breakdown and allergens, I believe that providing the environmental impact calculations of recipes and food products is a necessary progression we need to make as chefs and recipe bloggers.
Sustainability in hospitality
The Michelin guide is progressing well by awarding restaurants Green Stars for sustainable gastronomy and recognizing vegan restaurants with Michelin star status. Kudos Mr. Michelin!
There is no doubt that the hospitality industry all around the world is facing huge challenges. Focusing on a more sustainable business model that supports local enterprises and communities is so important for the recovery road map ahead.
How do our food choices impact the environment and climate change?
Our food choices are one of the main contributors to carbon emissions.
- Food accounts for over a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions
- 50% of the world's habitable land is used for agriculture
- 70% of global freshwater withdrawals are used for agriculture
- 78% of the global ocean and freshwater eutrophication is caused by agriculture
Food lies at the heart of trying to tackle climate change, reducing water stress, and pollution, restoring lands back to forests or grasslands, and protecting the world's wildlife.
(Thank you, Our World in Data for this research information provided. Discover more information on their website.)
How can recipe bloggers and chefs make a contribution to the environment?
Collectively, recipe bloggers and chefs have a very powerful influence on what people choose to eat every day... I believe there is a massive opportunity here to make a significant impact on the environment, food security, and sustainability for the future.
I'm incredibly excited to have connected with Matthew from My Emissions, the developer behind this new 'environmental impact' food label.
I'm sure it's a complex mathematical equation to calculate the average emission of every ingredient! Locality, seasonality, farming practices, fishing practices, transportation, storage, packaging materials, food waste, and organic versus non-organic products, among many other factors, all impact the calculation of the emission rating.
I'm hoping we will see this information become more and more widespread and readily available in the months and years ahead.
Everything we choose to eat impacts the environment. We vote with our forks and knives every single day.
Jamie Raftery
Discover more sustainable sources of plant-based protein in my Food Library
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!