Of the plant-based food commodities that contribute the most to global greenhouse gas emissions, rice is the largest polluter. According to a recent study, global rice production releases an estimated 2.1 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent annually, which accounts for approximately 12 percent of global food emissions. Rice is often grown in flooded fields, which creates ideal conditions for methane emitting bacteria. While rice produces a considerable amount of emissions each year, they are far lower than beef production emissions.
Annual greenhouse gas emissions from the production of selected plant-based foods worldwide
(in billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent)
Characteristic
Emissions in billion metric tons of CO2 equivalent
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Statista. (September 13, 2021). Annual greenhouse gas emissions from the production of selected plant-based foods worldwide (in billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 22, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1264034/ghg-emissions-from-plant-based-food-commodities-worldwide/
Statista. "Annual greenhouse gas emissions from the production of selected plant-based foods worldwide (in billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent)." Chart. September 13, 2021. Statista. Accessed December 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1264034/ghg-emissions-from-plant-based-food-commodities-worldwide/
Statista. (2021). Annual greenhouse gas emissions from the production of selected plant-based foods worldwide (in billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1264034/ghg-emissions-from-plant-based-food-commodities-worldwide/
Statista. "Annual Greenhouse Gas Emissions from The Production of Selected Plant-based Foods Worldwide (in Billion Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent)." Statista, Statista Inc., 13 Sep 2021, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1264034/ghg-emissions-from-plant-based-food-commodities-worldwide/
Statista, Annual greenhouse gas emissions from the production of selected plant-based foods worldwide (in billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1264034/ghg-emissions-from-plant-based-food-commodities-worldwide/ (last visited December 22, 2024)
Annual greenhouse gas emissions from the production of selected plant-based foods worldwide (in billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent) [Graph], Statista, September 13, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1264034/ghg-emissions-from-plant-based-food-commodities-worldwide/
