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Research article - Peer-reviewed, 2016

Paths to a sustainable food sector: integrated design and LCA of future food supply chains: the case of pork production in Sweden

Sonesson, Ulf; Andersson, Annica; Bertilsson, Jan; Brunius, Carl; Emanuelson, Margareta; Göransson, Leif; Hessle, Anna; Kumm, Karl-Ivar; Lundh, Åse; Salomon, Eva; Sindhöj, Erik; Stenberg, Bo; Stenberg, Maria; Wall, Helena; Gunnarsson, Stefan

Abstract

PurposeTo describe a more sustainable food sector, a supply chain approach is needed. Changing a supply chain inevitably means that various attributes of the product and its system will change. This project assumed this challenge and delivered detailed descriptions, life cycle assessment (LCA) evaluations, and consequence assessments of the supply chains of six commodities, i.e., milk, cheese, beef, pork, chicken, and bread, from a Swedish region. This paper presents results for the pork supply chain. MethodsIn the project setup, experts on production along supply chains designed three scenarios for environmentally improved systems. These scenarios, i.e., the ecosystem, plant nutrients, and climate scenarios, were intended to address different clusters of environmental goals. The next step was to challenge these scenarios by considering their possible consequences for products and systems from the food safety, sensory quality, animal welfare, consumer appreciation, and (for primary production only) cost perspectives. This led to changes in production system design to prevent negative consequences. The final supply chains were quantified using LCA and were again assessed from the three perspectives. Results and discussionThe scenario design approach worked well, thoroughly and credibly describing the production systems. Assessment of consequences bolstered the credibility and quality of the systems and results. The LCA of pig production and smoked ham identified large potentials for improvement by implementing available knowledge: global warming potential (GWP) could be reduced 21-54% and marine eutrophication by 14-45%. The main reason for these improvements was improved productivity (approaching the best producers' current performance), though dedicated measures were also important, resulting in increased nitrogen efficiency, more varied crop rotations for crop production and better production management, and improved animal health and manure management for animal production. Reduced post-farm wastage contributed as did reduced emissions from fertilizer production. ConclusionsThe working approach applied was successful in integrating LCA research with food system production expertise to deliver results relevant to supply chain decision-makers. The consequence assessments brought considerable value to the project, giving its results greater credibility. By introducing constraints in the form of "no negative consequences and no increased costs," the work was "guided" so that the scenario design avoided being hampered by too many opportunities.

Keywords

consequence assessment, Environment, food system scenarios, future food production, LCA, sustainable food chains

Published in

International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment
2016, volume: 21, number: 5, pages: 664-676

Authors' information

Sonesson, Ulf
SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Food Science
Bertilsson, Jan
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal Nutrition and Management
Brunius, Carl
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Food Science
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal Nutrition and Management
Göransson, Leif
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal Nutrition and Management
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal Environment and Health
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal Environment and Health
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Food Science
Salomon, Eva
Swedish Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering (JTI)
Sindhöj, Erik
Swedish Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering (JTI)
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Soil and Environment
Stenberg, Maria
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Soil and Environment
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal Nutrition and Management
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal Environment and Health

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG13 Climate action
SDG2 Zero hunger

UKÄ Subject classification

Animal and Dairy Science
Other Agricultural Sciences not elsewhere specified
Food Science

Publication Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11367-015-0969-5

URI (permanent link to this page)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/69717