Londoners produce nearly 19 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, a report commissioned by the Greater London Authority and the London Development Agency reveals. The report examines the impact of London’s eating habits on climate change, and the results are startling. London emits huge amounts of carbon emissions (carbon dioxide), methane, nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases, which are used for refrigeration and other industrial processes, all of which are responsible for climate change. 78 per cent of these emissions occur outside of London in the production and transport of food to London, and 22 per cent takes place inside London, travelling to the shops and restaurants, storing, preparation, eating and throwing away food.

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, said: ‘‘This report shows there are massive opportunities in London to reduce food waste helping to both save ourselves money by throwing away less food and cut climate change emissions.’

The report shows London’s schools and hospitals serve around 110 million meals a year, and that the capital boasts 1,200 restaurants (most of which are independently owned), 6,000 cafes and more than 5,000 pubs and bars. There are 36,000 allotments in London producing an equivalent two million meals but long waiting lists show many more Londoners would like to grow their own.

The report findings included:

Across all 6 greenhouse gases total emissions from the food eaten and grown in London is estimated at the equivalent of nearly 19 million tonnes of CO2 per year

Carbon dioxide emissions from London’s food consumption are just over 10 million tonnes

The report concludes that the majority of food related emissions comes from the production of food, accounting for 44 per cent. Much of this occurs outside of London.

Within London, the majority of emissions are from the preparation and storage of food

It is estimated that we throw away a third of the food we buy: London’s food waste therefore represents 6.3 million tonnes of greenhouse gases.

Source The Mayor of London’s official website.