Key Takeaways:
- Urban agriculture (UA) has been increasingly viewed as a sustainable and just alternative to city-based food production.
- However, a new study by Hawes et al., 2024 highlights that the environmental benefits of UA, particularly its carbon footprint, may not be as advantageous as previously thought.
- The study conducted a comprehensive carbon footprint analysis of low-tech UA across various sites in Europe and the U.S., revealing higher greenhouse gas emissions than conventional agriculture.
- Despite this, certain forms of UA, like specific crops and growing methods, can still offer environmental benefits.
- The study advocates for strategic UA practices that combine environmental sustainability with social and educational functions.
Urban Agriculture: A Comprehensive Environmental Assessment
Urban agriculture (UA), cultivating food in and around cities, has gained traction as a sustainable initiative. It’s known for its social and nutritional benefits, but its environmental impact, especially compared to conventional agriculture, has been less clear. A recent study by Hawes et al., 2024 addresses this gap by analyzing the carbon footprint of low-tech UA, which is more common in urban settings but less studied than high-tech variants like vertical farms.
Findings on Urban Agriculture’s Environmental Impact
The study, encompassing 73 UA sites in countries including France, Germany, Poland, the UK, and the U.S., found that UA generally has a higher carbon footprint per serving of fruit or vegetable than conventional agriculture. This includes all forms of UA, with collective gardens being the most carbon-intensive. However, certain crops and urban farms showed competitive carbon footprints compared to conventional methods.
Implications and Recommendations
The findings suggest that while Urban Agriculture’s environmental impact can be more significant than we previously though, it still holds potential for environmental benefits if managed correctly. Policymakers and UA practitioners are advised to maximize farm infrastructure lifespan, promote urban waste for farm inputs, and leverage farms for education and community building. The study underscores the importance of choosing specific crops and implementing sustainable practices to enhance UA’s climate impact.
Read the complete study here.
