Quantifying Melbourne's 'foodprint': a scenario modelling methodology to determine the environmental impact of feeding a city

As cities grow and climate change intensifies, challenges related to the sustainable supply of food to urban areas are increasing. This is a particular issue for Melbourne, one of the fastest growing cities in Australia.... [ view full abstract ]

As cities grow and climate change intensifies, challenges related to the sustainable supply of food to urban areas are increasing. This is a particular issue for Melbourne, one of the fastest growing cities in Australia. Although food consumption accounts for a significant proportion of environmental impact, there is little or no data quantifying what it takes to feed a city to help city governments plan for the future. This paper presents the methodology and findings of an investigation into the environmental impact of feeding Greater Melbourne by quantifying it’s ‘foodprint’ – the land and water required, and food waste and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated. It forms part of a larger project, Foodprint Melbourne, investigating the sustainability and resilience of Melbourne’s foodbowl. The foodprint was calculated for 2014 and 2050, using the Australian Stocks and Flows Framework (ASFF). It was found that it takes 758 GL/yr of water and 16.3 Mha/yr of land to feed Melbourne, with over 907,537 t/yr of edible food waste and 4.1 Mt/yr of GHG emissions generated. With no change to consumption patterns or production methods, in 2050 1598 GL/yr of water and 32.3 Mha/yr will be required, with 7.4 Mt/yr of GHG emissions generated.