What is sustainability??
The United Nations defines sustainability as "meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs". This principle applies to many aspects of life, including food production and consumption.
How is food linked to sustainability?
Food production has a significant impact on the environment. It is responsible for almost a third of global greenhouse gas emissions, extensive water use, and deforestation. The way we choose, prepare, and consume food can either contribute to or mitigate these environmental challenges.
In 2024, students participating in Kitchen Adventure programme learned about the impact of food production and consumption on the environment through concepts such as the carbon foodprint —the greenhouse gases emitted during a product’s lifecycle— the water footprint —the amount of water used in its production, processing and transport.
Tips for sustainable cooking style
Sustainable cooking involves choosing and preparing food in ways that minimise environmental impact, reduce waste and support local communities. Here are five tips to reduce both the water and carbon foodprints of our food and make your cooking more sustainable:
- Eat less (or better) meat. Reducing meat consumption, especially intensive beef production, significantly reduces both your water and carbon footprint. Livestock uses huge amounts of water and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane. You can also choose meat from extensive livestock systems, where animals graze on natural pastures. This method relies less on cultivated feed, which requires more water and generates emissions from production and transport.
- Choose organic produce. Organic farming methods typically use less water, improve soil health, and contribute to carbon sequestration. Choosing organic food supports these sustainable practices.
- Eat more whole foods. Whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and grains, generally use less water and energy to produce than processed foods. Processed foods often demand more resources due to additional processing, packaging, and transport.
- Buy local and seasonal. Purchasing local and seasonal produce reduces the environmental impact of long-distance transport. This helps reduce the associated water and carbon footprints, particularly when avoiding air freighted or refrigerated goods.
- Reduce food waste. Planning meals and storing food correctly can help minimise waste. When food is wasted, all the resources used in its production —water, energy, and fertiliser—are also wasted. Furthermore, food waste in landfills produces methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.
In addition, using energy efficiently in the kitchen helps reduce consumption —which reduces greenhouse gas emissions and decreases reliance on non-renewable resources—, and saves money. Simple habits, such as using the right sized burner and covering pots while cooking, can retain heat, speed up cooking times, and reduce energy use.
The United Nations and sustainable gastronomy
Sustainable cooking fits into a broader concept that is the sustainable gastronomy. The United Nations celebrates Sustainable Gastronomy Day every year on June 18th, describing it as a "cuisine that considers where the ingredients are from, how the food is grown and how it gets to our markets and eventually to our plates". The aim is to promote cooking and eating habits that respect local cultures, the environment, and biodiversity, and to ensure that future generations can also enjoy a varied and healthy diet.
_____
Are you ready to take the first step towards a more sustainable kitchen? Start today by making these simple but powerful changes!
(This article was written by The Kitchen Adventure team. The Kitchen Adventure's mission is teaching families to cook more sustainably. Check out the project here)
