The food value chain is responsible for significant environmental and resource pressures. 14% of the total food produced in the EU is lost or wasted along the supply chain (FAO, 2019) and 19% is disposed of when reaching the consumption stage (UNEP, 2024). Therefore, to tackle the problem of food loss and waste (FLW), it is crucial to make the agri-food system sustainable. Adopting a life cycle approach to measure and assess the impacts created by FLW prevention actions is key to achieving this transition. This paper provides a detailed mapping study of EU projects that previously dealt with the issue of FLW prevention and compiles the LCIA methods that were used to conduct their environmental ssessments. Two essential requirements are set to evaluate the suitability of the dentified LCIA methods to detect the most beneficial FLW prevention and reduction (FLWPR) action in terms of environmental sustainability. Results show that the Environmental Footprint v3.0 method (EFv3.0) is the LCIA method that better meets these requirements. To shed light on its suitability, this paper uses the EF v3.0 method to make a comparative LCA of two specific hypothetical FLWPR actions concerning the fresh tomato value chain. Moreover, this study highlights the strengths of this LCIA method and explores pathways to overcome possible shortcomings. The outputs of this study represent an academic breakthrough in the field of FLWPR by addressing the requirements for guiding the selection of a method that enhances comparability between FLWPR actions and provides science-based tools that can help decision-makers follow a path to a more sustainable agri-food system.
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Agricultural run-off and subsurface drainage tiles transport a significant amount of nitrogen and phosphorus leached after fertilization. alchemia-nova GmbH in collaboration with University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna developed two multi-layer vertical filter systems to address the agricultural run-off issue, which has been installed on the slope of an agricultural field in Mistelbach, Austria. While another multi-layer addressing subsurface drainage water is implemented in Gleisdorf, Austria. The goal is to develop a drainage filter system to retain water and nutrients. Both multi-layer filter systems contain biochar and other substrates with adsorption properties of nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus). The filter system can be of practical use if an excess of nutrients being washed out is of concern in the fields of the practitioner by keeping the surrounding waters clean. This approach may result in economic value by re-using the saturated biochar as fertilizer and improving the soil structure, thus increasing long-term soil fertility. Link: https://wateragri.eu/a-bio-inspired-multilayer-drainage-system/
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under Grant Agreement No 858735This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under Grant Agreement No 858735. FACTSHEET NANOCELLULOSE MEMBRANES FOR NUTRIENT RECOVERY Key information Functionalized nanocellulose membranes can take up nitrate and phosphate. These membranes can be put in a water treatment unit. As the membranes are biobased, degradable materials, they can after use be added to the soil, thus returning the leached nutrients back for their original purpose providing fertilizers (nutrient recycling).
Because variables such as temperature and humidity have a profound effect on the activity of crop pests, diseases and natural enemies, the ability to monitor environmental conditions within a crop has always been important for crop protection.