Transporting food by air emits 1.13 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent per metric ton-kilometer (kg CO2eq per metric ton-kilometer). This is considerably higher than the emission factor of transporting foods by sea, which is between 0.01 to 0.02 kg CO2eq per metric ton-kilometer.
Emission factors for transporting food worldwide as of 2018, by selected modes of transport
(in kilograms of CO2 equivalent per metric ton-kilometer)
*Temperature-controlled road transportation from 0.02 to 0.66 kg CO2eq per metric ton-kilometer
Emission factors can span a range of values depending on factors such as the efficiency of vehicle used; packing/loading density of freight; distribution between passenger and freight allocation in shared transport; amongst other factors.
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OWID. (January 28, 2020). Emission factors for transporting food worldwide as of 2018, by selected modes of transport (in kilograms of CO2 equivalent per metric ton-kilometer) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 26, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1253773/food-freight-transport-emission-factors-by-mode/
OWID. "Emission factors for transporting food worldwide as of 2018, by selected modes of transport (in kilograms of CO2 equivalent per metric ton-kilometer)." Chart. January 28, 2020. Statista. Accessed December 26, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1253773/food-freight-transport-emission-factors-by-mode/
OWID. (2020). Emission factors for transporting food worldwide as of 2018, by selected modes of transport (in kilograms of CO2 equivalent per metric ton-kilometer). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 26, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1253773/food-freight-transport-emission-factors-by-mode/
OWID. "Emission Factors for Transporting Food Worldwide as of 2018, by Selected Modes of Transport (in Kilograms of Co2 Equivalent per Metric Ton-kilometer)." Statista, Statista Inc., 28 Jan 2020, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1253773/food-freight-transport-emission-factors-by-mode/
OWID, Emission factors for transporting food worldwide as of 2018, by selected modes of transport (in kilograms of CO2 equivalent per metric ton-kilometer) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1253773/food-freight-transport-emission-factors-by-mode/ (last visited December 26, 2024)
Emission factors for transporting food worldwide as of 2018, by selected modes of transport (in kilograms of CO2 equivalent per metric ton-kilometer) [Graph], OWID, January 28, 2020. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1253773/food-freight-transport-emission-factors-by-mode/
