A Nottinghamshire based cooperative of ten farmers, Freshgrowers, has calculated the carbon footprint of its Chantenay carrot production from field to packhouse.
Using a product life-cycle analysis approach, Freshgrowers calculate that 12,500 tonnes of Chantenay carrots emitted just under 363 tonnes of carbon equivalent (CO2e), giving them a carbon footprint of just 0.03 grams of CO2e per kilogram of carrots, compared to exotics like bananas at 0.7 kg CO2e.
The largest source of GHG emissions from Chantenay production overall was the fuel used in field operations, representing 77%. The remaining emissions were produced by fertiliser, crop protection products and the incorporation of crop residues into the soil.
Through Carbon Neutral Britain’s Climate Fund portfolio, the carrot emissions will be offset via renewable projects around the world. The carbon measurement and offset exercise will be repeated annually, with the next audit due in spring 2023.
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