Comparing and contrasting the Carbon and Water Footprint of your favourite Indian Dishes

Minimalist image displaying a comparison infographic of carbon and water footprints for two dishes: one high-impact (such as Beef Curry) and one low-impact (such as Rajma Chawal). The image uses clean data card layouts with bar graphs and icons

Welcome back to our series on the environmental impact of your favourite Indian dishes! In our previous posts, we delved into the carbon and water footprint of non-vegetarian dishes and explored the nuances of vegetarian dishes. Today, we bring you the final installment that compares some of the key dishes we have covered so far. This installment is designed to equip you with the knowledge to make more sustainable food choices without compromising on the foods you enjoy.

Our goal with this series is not to dictate what you eat, but to empower you with information. We believe that by understanding the carbon and water footprint of your favorite dishes, you can make informed decisions that align with your values for a healthier planet. Using popular dishes gives us an excellent opportunity to discuss a variety of food groups and their diverse environmental impacts.

Understanding the Metrics: Carbon and Water Footprint Explained

As in our previous posts, let's start with the units of measurement. When we discuss the Carbon and Water footprint of food, we use specific, standardized units to quantify their footprint:

  • Carbon Footprint: This metric is measured in kilograms of Carbon Dioxide Equivalents (Kg CO2e). It represents the total greenhouse gas emissions (including carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide) released throughout the entire journey of a food item: from growing the raw ingredients for humans or livestock, to packaging and transporting these items to the stores for our consumption. These gases are weighted by their Global Warming Potential to give a single comparable unit.
  • Water Footprint: This is measured in kilo litres (KL), with 1 kilo litre equating to 1,000 litres. This figure quantifies the amount of freshwater used, both direct and indirect, throughout the life of a food item: from irrigating crops or use in aquaculture, to packaging and transporting these items to the stores for our consumption. Our focus here is primarily on "blue water" – surface and groundwater resources.

How these metrics are calculated

  • A Carbon emission factor indicates the carbon footprint per kg of a food item
  • A Water footprint factor indicates the water footprint per kg of a food item

These factors act as multipliers. When applied to the quantity of food consumed, they help estimate the total footprint.

Comparison of the enviromental impact of popular dishes

Let's dive into the comparison of carbon and water footprints of some of the most favourite Indian dishes, based on a typical serving size for one person. We will compare non-veg dishes with each other, veg dishes with each other and even non-veg with veg dishes to get a comprehensive comparison.

Beef curry
Mutton Biryani
Carbon(Kg CO2e)
10.135
6.888
Water(KL)
0.351
0.655
Beef curry
Butter chicken
Carbon(Kg CO2e)
10.135
2.121
Water(KL)
0.351
0.276
Mutton Biryani
Butter chicken
Carbon(Kg CO2e)
6.888
2.121
Water(KL)
0.655
0.276
Butter chicken
Palak Paneer
Carbon(Kg CO2e)
2.121
1.556
Water(KL)
0.276
0.35
Palak Paneer
Rajma Chawal
Carbon(Kg CO2e)
1.556
0.829
Water(KL)
0.35
0.31
Beef curry
Rajma Chawal
Carbon(Kg CO2e)
10.135
0.829
Water(KL)
0.351
0.31

Why animal-based dishes carry a heavier environmental burden

As you can see, the carbon and water footprint of animal-based dishes is generally much higher than that of plant-based dishes. Even amongst animal-based dishes, the footprint of beef and mutton based dishes is the highest (carbon footprint of Beef curry is approximately 4 times higher than Butter chicken) whereas the footprint of pulses compared to beef is negligible (carbon footprint of Rajma Chawal is only 9 % of Beef curry's). But when it comes to the water footprint, dishes that have both animal products and rice have the highest footprint because along with meat, rice is a water intensive plant based product (Mutton Biryani consumes 0.655 KL of water).

The primary reason for the high footprint for meat or animal-dervied products, lies in the intricate process of animal agriculture, which is far more resource-intensive than cultivating plants directly for human consumption. This understanding comes from a robust scientific methodology known as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).

LCA is an internationally recognized methodology used to quantify the environmental impacts of a product throughout its lifecycle. The data we present is based on LCA using cradle-to-shelf methodology. This means evaluating every stage, from raw material extraction and production to processing, and transportation to the retail shelves from where consumers buy these products. LCA involves collecting detailed inventory data on all inputs (such as water, energy, and fertilizers) and outputs (such as emissions, and waste) and then assessing their potential environmental impacts.

Detailed Reasons for Higher Footprint:
  1. Feed Production: A significant portion of agricultural land and water is used to grow crops like corn, soy, and alfalfa, which serve as feed for livestock. This process involves extensive irrigation, fertilizers, and pesticides, all contributing to the water footprint and carbon footprint (through energy for machinery, fertilizer production, and nitrous oxide emissions from soil). Raising animals for food requires a much larger amount of primary vegetal material than if humans consumed that material directly.
  2. Methane Emissions: Ruminant animals, such as cows and buffalo, produce large quantities of methane (CH4) during their digestion process (enteric fermentation). Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, far more effective at trapping heat than carbon dioxide over a shorter period. Manure management also contributes to methane and nitrous oxide emissions.
  3. Land Use Change: Expanding pastureland for grazing or converting forests to grow animal feed often leads to deforestation and habitat loss. This releases stored carbon into the atmosphere, significantly increasing the carbon footprint.
  4. Water for Animals: Beyond irrigation for feed, animals also require substantial amounts of drinking water. Additionally, water is used for cleaning livestock facilities and processing meat.
  5. Energy for Operations: Modern animal agriculture, including raising, processing, and transporting meat, requires considerable energy for housing, ventilation, refrigeration, and transportation, further contributing to the carbon footprint.

Your sustainable journey

Understanding the carbon and water footprint of our food is the first step towards a more sustainable future. While the data can be complex, the message is clear: our dietary choices have a profound impact. Even small shifts towards more plant-based dishes can collectively lead to significant environmental benefits. India's traditional diets, often rich in diverse plant-based options, already offer a blueprint for sustainable consumption.

This series has aimed to shed light on the environmental footprint of our plates. We hope it sparks curiosity and encourages you to explore more sustainable options. To continue your journey in tracking and understanding the carbon and water footprint of many more dishes, we invite you to sign up for our platform. Start making a difference, one delicious meal at a time!

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Endnotes
  1. Source for the ingredients: Poore, J., & Nemecek, T. (2018). Reducing food’s environmental impacts through producers and consumers. Science. – processed by Our World in Data