According to the latest study from the FAO , the total global GHG emissions from agrifood systems have increased by 9% from 2000 to 2020. This represent about one third of the global GHG emissions and is estimated to currently be 16 Gtonnes CO2eq.Information related to GHG emissions is already contained in a number of trusted inventories (e.g. FAO, EDGAR-FOOD). However, these inventories have limitations as they often use different approaches and apply different boundaries and terminologies. They often do not have the level of granularity required to identify the key areas of the food chain where GHG emissions can be reduced or provide information on predicted future emissions.In ENOUGH we are working to overcome these limitations by developing several tools to calculate GHG emission from the European food chains in 2019 (reference year), 2030 and 2050. The models can identify the food chain sectors and technologies which are responsible for the majority of the GHG emissions. They will also be able to assess the impact of future emissions scenarios and their impact on emissions from individual countries. Through this work a complete and precise emissions database with reliable predictions of GHG emissions will be established. The work will ultimately provide information on the impact of technical, climate and socio-economic changes to the food system and which interventions are likely to have the greatest overall impact to reduce GHG emissions. It will also help the European policy makers to set appropriate legislation to mitigate emissions from the food sector in the future.

Food systems are globally responsible for around a third of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. These numbers are poorly quantified and lack detail for specific sectors and food groups. The food industry has made significant efforts to reduce emissions already with simple optimisation procedures and changes, so further reduction will require advanced technology.The ENOUGH project (enough-emissions.eu) brings research, universities and industry together to tackle these challenges. We will generate new information on emissions from the food chain, develop strategic road maps (technical, political and financial), develop digital tools and smart data analysis methods to quantify and benchmark energy use and emissions in the food chain.Promising decarbonisation technologies in real food industry environment will be demonstrated to provide European food companies tools and quantified information on the benefits and financial paybacks of low emission technologies. The technologies will be tested with regards to identified key products (meat, fish, dairy and fruit and vegetables) and opportunities for cross sector applicability. The focus will be thermal processes as the key products are perishable and require thermal processes throughout their life. Some key technologies are high temperature heat pumps (HTHPs) working with natural refrigerants and processes related to energy efficiency of cooling, freezing, heating and storage of food. Several demonstrations are also planned to generate hot water and steam in real life situations. Another important sector identified is transport, including for example home delivery. The outputs will be widely communicated to relevant food companies, policy makers and interested groups.