The carbon footprint of an average food basket in South Africa: A case of the City of Cape Town

Economic access to food remains a major concern when addressing food security among low-income households. This study explored the food carbon footprint typical of households with different levels of income. In light of climate change and the growing awareness of its impact on the environment, this study contributes to information dissemination to empower consumers of carbon footprints associated with certain food baskets. Using secondary data and existing carbon emission values per food type, overall carbon footprints per serving were determined for low, middle and affluent households. It was hypothesized that food carbon footprints from low-income households are lower when compared to middle and affluent households. The find-ings of the study supported the hypothesis that low-income households produce less food car-bon footprint relative to middle and affluent households. However, these findings only hold at the individual household level. At an aggregate level, these findings may vary by location and country depending on the share composition of the number of households falling under low income, middle and affluent. Improvement in food systems is essential to ensure minimal wast-age along the value chain, efficient systems that reduce cost but also need to be environmentally benign emitting carbon below acceptable industry thresholds or best practices per industry.