Defra

Agricultural produce ecological footprint

Best Foot Forward worked with the University of Warwick, HDRA and Robert Gordon University to assess the ‘environmental footprint’ of twelve horticulture crops and commodities, including potatoes, carrots, strawberries and milk. The project assessed the environmental, social and economic impact of horticultural production. The ‘environmental footprint‘ was assessed using six indicators: the ecological footprint, toxicity, global warming potential, eutrophication potential, water and labour use, on a ‘per hectare, per year’ basis. BFF was asked to provide ecological footprint analyses of the twelve crops/commodities, which were then included in an overall sustainability assessment integrating all six environmental indicators. The biggest environmental footprints were for the protected crops (lettuce and strawberries) and milk, and the smallest were for winter wheat, lamb and sugar beet. The report is available for viewing here.