Assumptions

What is included?

General assumptions: Cradle to grave, incl. cooking. Not included is: consumer transport to from retail outlets, home storage. Assessment methods are consistent with the globally recognized International Standards Organization (ISO) 14040 series and the British Publicly Available Specification 2050 (PAS 2050).

Material

Incl. materials used to grow crops / feed animals (fertilizers, pesticides and seed for crop production; feeds for animal production)

Production

Incl. on-farm generation of GHG emissions (e.g., the enteric fermentation digestive process; manure management; soil emissions from fertilizer application; etc.); incl. on-farm energy use (fuel and electricity, including energy used for irrigation); incl. Processing (slaughter, packaging and freezing).

Distribution

Incl. Transportation and refrigeration (in retail and transportation)

Use

Incl. cooking

End of life

Incl. Retail and consumer waste (waste before and after cooking, including served but uneaten food that is thrown away)

Sources

  1. Environmental Working Group (2011). Climate and Environmental Impacts. Lifecycle Assesments: Methodology & Results. URL:http://static.ewg.org/reports/2011/meateaters/pdf/methodology_ewg_meat_eaters_guide_to_health_and_climate_2011.pdf

  2. Environmental Working Group 2011). Climate and Environmental Impacts. URL: https://www.ewg.org/meateatersguide/a-meat-eaters-guide-to-climate-change-health-what-you-eat-matters/climate-and-environmental-impacts/

  3. Environmental Working Group (2011). Climate and Environmental Impacts. URL: https://www.ewg.org/meateatersguide/a-meat-eaters-guide-to-climate-change-health-what-you-eat-matters/climate-and-environmental-impacts/