Clean Food
This sector is transforming an existing industry
How we define it
The Clean Food sector spans technologies that transform the food supply chain, from sustainable agriculture to the production of new food options that conserve natural resources and lower environmental impact.
Why it matters
Agriculture: The agriculture industry is one of the top emitters of GHGs and requires harmful chemicals, vast amounts of water, and hundreds of millions of acres of land – half of the habitable land on Earth is devoted to agriculture. Replacing harmful chemicals with alternatives, employing plant biology engineering to optimize fats or proteins, developing efficient water irrigation systems, and adopting new crop management technologies can reduce the environmental impacts of agriculture.
Protein sources: Most of the environmental effects of the agriculture industry can be attributed to animal agriculture. A majority of the resources used for farming across the globe are devoted to growing crops for animal feed, not food for humans. It is much more efficient to make protein directly from crops rather than source it from land and marine animals. In addition, livestock animals create significant methane emissions. Alternative proteins (and fats), including plant-based, fermented, and cultivated sources mitigate resource demands and significantly reduce carbon footprint. Technologies needed include stem-cell lines, growth media, microbe engineering, and end-product engineering systems.
Metrics
Project Drawdown
The cleantech for this sector contributes to 4 Project Drawdown solutions and the reduction/sequestration of 158.98 - 198.63 gigatons of carbon equivalent (2020-2050).
Drawdown Solutions: Composting, Farm Irrigation Efficiency, Plant-Rich Diets, Reduced Food Waste
Key GRI Environmental Standards
Sustainable Development Goals Target 2.4, Target 12.3
